Golar LNG Limited (NASDAQ:GLNG) Receives Average Rating of “Moderate Buy” from Analysts

Shares of Golar LNG Limited (NASDAQ:GLNG) have received an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the five analysts that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 1-year price objective among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $45.10.

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. B. Riley lifted their price target on shares of Golar LNG from $35.50 to $44.50 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, July 19th. Stifel Nicolaus dropped their price target on shares of Golar LNG from $55.00 to $53.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, August 16th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their target price on shares of Golar LNG from $43.00 to $56.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, August 16th. BTIG Research increased their target price on shares of Golar LNG from $36.00 to $45.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, June 25th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered shares of Golar LNG from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 24th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Golar LNG

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank lifted its holdings in Golar LNG by 26,805.3% in the fourth quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 5,112 shares of the shipping company’s stock valued at $118,000 after acquiring an additional 5,093 shares during the period. Russell Investments Group Ltd. increased its position in Golar LNG by 16.4% during the 4th quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 105,108 shares of the shipping company’s stock worth $2,416,000 after purchasing an additional 14,782 shares in the last quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. purchased a new stake in Golar LNG during the 4th quarter worth about $311,000. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in Golar LNG by 234.1% in the 4th quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 28,997 shares of the shipping company’s stock valued at $667,000 after buying an additional 20,318 shares during the period. Finally, M&T Bank Corp grew its holdings in Golar LNG by 42.6% in the 4th quarter. M&T Bank Corp now owns 13,821 shares of the shipping company’s stock valued at $318,000 after buying an additional 4,129 shares during the period. 92.21% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Golar LNG Stock Down 2.8 %

GLNG opened at $31.15 on Friday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $33.32 and a 200 day moving average of $27.97. The company has a market cap of $3.26 billion, a PE ratio of 29.67 and a beta of 0.64. Golar LNG has a 12 month low of $19.94 and a 12 month high of $36.52. The company has a current ratio of 1.24, a quick ratio of 1.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31.

Golar LNG Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 3rd. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 26th were given a dividend of $0.25 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 26th. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.21%. Golar LNG’s dividend payout ratio is presently 95.24%.

Golar LNG Company Profile

Golar LNG Limited designs, converts, owns, and operates marine infrastructure for the liquefaction of natural gas. The company operates through three segments: FLNG, Corporate and Other, and Shipping. It engages in the regasification, storage, and offloading of liquefied natural gas (LNG); operation of floating liquefaction natural gas (FLNG) vessels or projects; transportation of LNG carriers; and vessel management activities.