KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS Invests $2.88 Million in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)

KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS purchased a new stake in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 47,100 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock, valued at approximately $2,879,000.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in NFG. Kentucky Trust Co purchased a new stake in National Fuel Gas in the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. UMB Bank n.a. grew its holdings in shares of National Fuel Gas by 82.9% in the fourth quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 481 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 218 shares during the period. S.A. Mason LLC acquired a new stake in National Fuel Gas during the fourth quarter worth about $38,000. V Square Quantitative Management LLC raised its stake in National Fuel Gas by 49.5% during the fourth quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 722 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock worth $44,000 after purchasing an additional 239 shares during the period. Finally, Safe Harbor Fiduciary LLC acquired a new position in National Fuel Gas in the 3rd quarter valued at about $46,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 73.96% of the company’s stock.

National Fuel Gas Stock Performance

NYSE:NFG opened at $78.85 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.14 billion, a P/E ratio of -563.18 and a beta of 0.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a current ratio of 0.39. National Fuel Gas has a fifty-two week low of $51.46 and a fifty-two week high of $79.49. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $73.08 and a 200 day moving average price of $65.40.

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 29th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.66 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.44 by $0.22. National Fuel Gas had a positive return on equity of 15.96% and a negative net margin of 0.53%. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.46 earnings per share. Equities research analysts forecast that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 EPS for the current year.

National Fuel Gas Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 31st will be paid a dividend of $0.515 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 31st. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.61%. National Fuel Gas’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -1,471.43%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

NFG has been the topic of several analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of National Fuel Gas from $77.00 to $81.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, March 13th. StockNews.com upgraded National Fuel Gas from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 4th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $74.67.

National Fuel Gas Company Profile

National Fuel Gas Company operates as a diversified energy company. It operates through four segments: Exploration and Production, Pipeline and Storage, Gathering, and Utility. The Exploration and Production segment explores for, develops, and produces natural gas and oil. The Pipeline and Storage segment provides interstate natural gas transportation services through an integrated gas pipeline system in Pennsylvania and New York; and owns and operates underground natural gas storage fields.