National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) Reaches New 52-Week High at $61.50

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)’s share price reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $61.50 and last traded at $61.42, with a volume of 23305 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $61.22.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts recently commented on NFG shares. StockNews.com lowered National Fuel Gas from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report on Monday, August 5th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on National Fuel Gas from $64.00 to $62.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, September 12th. Finally, Scotiabank upped their price objective on National Fuel Gas from $80.00 to $81.00 and gave the company a “sector outperform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 20th.

National Fuel Gas Stock Performance

The business’s fifty day moving average price is $59.02 and its 200-day moving average price is $56.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 0.77 and a quick ratio of 0.65. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.61 billion, a PE ratio of 12.19 and a beta of 0.62.

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The oil and gas producer reported $0.99 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.96 by $0.03. National Fuel Gas had a net margin of 16.42% and a return on equity of 14.80%. The firm had revenue of $417.40 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $540.62 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.01 earnings per share. The business’s quarterly revenue was down 2.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts expect that National Fuel Gas will post 5.13 EPS for the current year.

National Fuel Gas Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 30th will be issued a $0.515 dividend. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.38%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 30th. National Fuel Gas’s payout ratio is currently 40.87%.

Institutional Trading of National Fuel Gas

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Beacon Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in National Fuel Gas in the 1st quarter worth approximately $27,000. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas during the first quarter valued at $28,000. Valley National Advisers Inc. bought a new position in National Fuel Gas during the second quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Lindbrook Capital LLC grew its holdings in shares of National Fuel Gas by 123.0% in the first quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC now owns 767 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock worth $41,000 after acquiring an additional 423 shares during the period. Finally, LifeSteps Financial Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of National Fuel Gas during the 1st quarter valued at about $46,000. 73.96% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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.