National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) Hits New 52-Week High – Should You Buy?

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)’s share price reached a new 52-week high during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $78.99 and last traded at $78.76, with a volume of 820548 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $77.66.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have recently weighed in on NFG. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on National Fuel Gas from $77.00 to $81.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, March 13th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of National Fuel Gas from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 4th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $74.67.

National Fuel Gas Stock Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of $7.13 billion, a P/E ratio of -562.52 and a beta of 0.57. The company has a 50-day moving average of $71.62 and a 200-day moving average of $64.74. 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 (NYSE:NFG) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 29th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.66 earnings per share (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 quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.46 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts anticipate that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

National Fuel Gas Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 31st will be given a dividend of $0.515 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 31st. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.62%. National Fuel Gas’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently -1,471.43%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Kentucky Trust Co bought a new stake in shares of National Fuel Gas during the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. UMB Bank n.a. lifted its stake in National Fuel Gas by 82.9% in 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 during the period. Quarry LP bought a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas during the 4th quarter worth approximately $32,000. Ameriflex Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas during the fourth quarter valued at about $36,000. Finally, S.A. Mason LLC bought a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas during the 4th quarter worth about $38,000. 73.96% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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.