LSV Asset Management Sells 24,152 Shares of National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)

LSV Asset Management trimmed its position in shares of National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) by 1.4% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,661,346 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock after selling 24,152 shares during the period. LSV Asset Management’s holdings in National Fuel Gas were worth $100,810,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Kentucky Trust Co bought a new stake in shares of National Fuel Gas during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. UMB Bank n.a. increased its holdings in National Fuel Gas by 82.9% in the 4th quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 481 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 218 shares during the period. S.A. Mason LLC acquired a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas in the 4th quarter valued at $38,000. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd lifted its holdings in shares of National Fuel Gas by 223.2% during the 4th quarter. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd now owns 656 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock worth $40,000 after acquiring an additional 453 shares during the period. Finally, V Square Quantitative Management LLC boosted its position in shares of National Fuel Gas by 49.5% during the 4th quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 722 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock valued at $44,000 after acquiring an additional 239 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 73.96% of the company’s stock.

National Fuel Gas Stock Performance

NYSE:NFG opened at $74.04 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.70 billion, a P/E ratio of -528.84 and a beta of 0.61. The company has a current ratio of 0.39, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80. National Fuel Gas has a 1 year low of $51.46 and a 1 year high of $80.14. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $74.93 and a 200-day moving average of $66.80.

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 29th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.66 EPS for the quarter, topping 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 last year, the company earned $1.46 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 EPS for the current fiscal year.

National Fuel Gas Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 31st will be paid a $0.515 dividend. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.78%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 31st. National Fuel Gas’s dividend payout ratio is presently -1,471.43%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have commented on the stock. StockNews.com cut shares of National Fuel Gas from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research note on Monday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on National Fuel Gas from $77.00 to $81.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, March 13th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, 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.