Central Pacific Bank Trust Division Purchases 1,800 Shares of National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)

Central Pacific Bank Trust Division grew its holdings in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) by 12.5% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 16,200 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock after acquiring an additional 1,800 shares during the quarter. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division’s holdings in National Fuel Gas were worth $983,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Victory Capital Management Inc. raised its stake in National Fuel Gas by 44.2% in the 3rd quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 2,498,205 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock worth $151,416,000 after purchasing an additional 765,236 shares in the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of National Fuel Gas by 159.5% in the second quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 880,434 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock valued at $47,711,000 after buying an additional 541,176 shares during the period. Mackenzie Financial Corp grew its position in National Fuel Gas by 262.5% during the second quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 318,078 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock worth $17,237,000 after buying an additional 230,332 shares in the last quarter. Great Lakes Advisors LLC bought a new position in National Fuel Gas during the 2nd quarter worth $10,741,000. Finally, Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA raised its holdings in National Fuel Gas by 261.4% in the 2nd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 173,283 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock valued at $9,390,000 after acquiring an additional 125,336 shares in the last quarter. 73.96% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

National Fuel Gas Stock Performance

National Fuel Gas stock opened at $61.35 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $5.57 billion, a PE ratio of 75.74 and a beta of 0.63. The company has a quick ratio of 0.25, a current ratio of 0.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77. National Fuel Gas has a 12-month low of $45.32 and a 12-month high of $65.06. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $61.33 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $59.58.

National Fuel Gas Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 31st will be given a dividend of $0.515 per share. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.36%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 31st. National Fuel Gas’s dividend payout ratio is 254.32%.

Insider Activity at National Fuel Gas

In other news, insider Justin I. Loweth sold 19,532 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $62.27, for a total transaction of $1,216,257.64. Following the sale, 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 transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through 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 shares were sold at an average price of $62.58, for a total transaction of $625,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 81,519 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,101,459.02. This trade represents a 10.93 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.55% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have recently issued reports on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on National Fuel Gas from $65.00 to $64.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, November 12th. Argus raised shares of National Fuel Gas to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 19th. Bank of America assumed coverage on shares of National Fuel Gas in a research report on Monday, October 28th. They issued an “underperform” rating and a $62.00 target price for the company. Finally, StockNews.com cut shares of National Fuel Gas from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 24th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, National Fuel Gas presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $69.00.

National Fuel Gas 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.