National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) Shares Sold by Greenwood Capital Associates LLC

Greenwood Capital Associates LLC decreased its holdings in shares of National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) by 5.8% during the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 9,691 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock after selling 592 shares during the period. Greenwood Capital Associates LLC’s holdings in National Fuel Gas were worth $588,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Capital Performance Advisors LLP purchased a new position in National Fuel Gas during the third quarter worth about $28,000. V Square Quantitative Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas during the 3rd quarter valued at about $29,000. UMB Bank n.a. lifted its holdings in shares of National Fuel Gas by 82.9% during the 4th quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 481 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 218 shares during the period. Venturi Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of National Fuel Gas in the third quarter worth approximately $35,000. Finally, S.A. Mason LLC purchased a new stake in National Fuel Gas in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 73.96% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

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

Insider Buying and Selling at National Fuel Gas

In other news, insider Donna L. Decarolis sold 10,000 shares of National Fuel Gas stock in a transaction 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 transaction, the insider now directly owns 81,519 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,101,459.02. This trade represents a 10.93 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Justin I. Loweth sold 19,532 shares of National Fuel Gas stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $62.27, for a total value of $1,216,257.64. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 41,841 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,605,439.07. The trade was a 31.83 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.41% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

National Fuel Gas Stock Performance

Shares of NFG opened at $72.41 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.56 billion, a PE ratio of -517.16 and a beta of 0.64. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $63.81 and its 200 day moving average price is $61.45. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 0.39 and a quick ratio of 0.33. National Fuel Gas has a 12-month low of $45.32 and a 12-month high of $73.13.

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, January 29th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.66 EPS 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 prior year, the company 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 announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 31st were given a $0.515 dividend. This represents a $2.06 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.85%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, December 31st. National Fuel Gas’s dividend payout ratio is currently -1,471.32%.

About National Fuel Gas

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.