National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) Hits New 1-Year High – Time to Buy?

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)’s stock price reached a new 52-week high on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $68.57 and last traded at $69.04, with a volume of 613687 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $67.89.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

NFG has been the subject of several recent research reports. Bank of America initiated coverage on shares of National Fuel Gas in a report on Monday, October 28th. They set an “underperform” rating and a $62.00 target price for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on shares of National Fuel Gas from $65.00 to $64.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, November 12th. Argus upgraded shares of National Fuel Gas to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 19th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded shares of National Fuel Gas from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, January 13th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating, one has issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $69.00.

National Fuel Gas Trading Down 1.9 %

The firm has a market capitalization of $6.22 billion, a PE ratio of 84.53, a P/E/G ratio of 1.04 and a beta of 0.64. The company has a quick ratio of 0.25, a current ratio of 0.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $62.50 and its 200 day moving average price is $60.56.

National Fuel Gas Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 31st were given a $0.515 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, December 31st. This represents a $2.06 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.01%. National Fuel Gas’s dividend payout ratio is presently 254.32%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Justin I. Loweth sold 19,532 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $62.27, for a total value of $1,216,257.64. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 41,841 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,605,439.07. This trade represents a 31.83 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider Donna L. Decarolis sold 10,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $62.58, for a total transaction of $625,800.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 81,519 shares in the company, valued at $5,101,459.02. This represents a 10.93 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 1.55% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On National Fuel Gas

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of NFG. Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new position in National Fuel Gas during the third quarter valued at approximately $28,000. V Square Quantitative Management LLC acquired a new position in National Fuel Gas during the third quarter valued at approximately $29,000. UMB Bank n.a. lifted its position in National Fuel Gas by 82.9% during the fourth 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 in the last quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in National Fuel Gas during the third quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its position in National Fuel Gas by 38.6% during the third quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 696 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock valued at $42,000 after buying an additional 194 shares in the last quarter. 73.96% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.