National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) Shares Acquired by Stifel Financial Corp

Stifel Financial Corp increased its holdings in shares of National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) by 7.5% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 143,289 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock after acquiring an additional 10,038 shares during the period. Stifel Financial Corp owned approximately 0.16% of National Fuel Gas worth $8,685,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the stock. SG Americas Securities LLC purchased a new stake in shares of National Fuel Gas during the 2nd quarter worth about $221,000. ORG Partners LLC bought a new stake in National Fuel Gas during the second quarter worth approximately $128,000. Valley National Advisers Inc. acquired a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas in the 2nd quarter valued at $37,000. Blue Trust Inc. lifted its position in shares of National Fuel Gas by 331.6% in the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,161 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock valued at $62,000 after acquiring an additional 892 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Raymond James & Associates lifted its holdings in shares of National Fuel Gas by 3.4% in the second quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 71,036 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock valued at $3,849,000 after purchasing an additional 2,320 shares in the last quarter. 73.96% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Justin I. Loweth sold 19,532 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $62.27, for a total transaction of $1,216,257.64. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 41,841 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,605,439.07. This represents a 31.83 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, insider Donna L. Decarolis sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $62.58, for a total value of $625,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 81,519 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,101,459.02. The trade was a 10.93 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 31,232 shares of company stock valued at $1,945,367. 1.55% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

National Fuel Gas Trading Down 1.4 %

NYSE NFG opened at $60.78 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $5.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 75.04 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. The business’s fifty day moving average is $61.57 and its 200 day moving average is $59.04. National Fuel Gas has a twelve month low of $45.32 and a twelve month high of $65.06.

National Fuel Gas Announces Dividend

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 paid a $0.515 dividend. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.39%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 31st. National Fuel Gas’s dividend payout ratio is currently 254.32%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have commented on NFG. Argus upgraded National Fuel Gas to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 19th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered 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. StockNews.com downgraded shares of National Fuel Gas from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research note on Saturday, November 30th. Bank of America assumed coverage on National Fuel Gas in a research report on Monday, October 28th. They issued an “underperform” rating and a $62.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Scotiabank increased their price objective on shares of National Fuel Gas from $80.00 to $81.00 and gave the company a “sector outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, August 20th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $69.00.

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.