Investors Purchase Large Volume of Call Options on Energy Transfer (NYSE:ET)

Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET) saw some unusual options trading on Friday. Traders acquired 76,347 call options on the stock. This is an increase of 97% compared to the typical volume of 38,676 call options.

Energy Transfer Price Performance

Shares of NYSE ET opened at $16.41 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $55.30 billion, a PE ratio of 15.06, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.50 and a beta of 1.66. Energy Transfer has a fifty-two week low of $12.90 and a fifty-two week high of $16.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.38, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a current ratio of 1.14. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $16.11 and a 200-day moving average of $15.94.

Energy Transfer (NYSE:ET) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 7th. The pipeline company reported $0.35 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.36 by ($0.01). Energy Transfer had a return on equity of 12.74% and a net margin of 5.19%. The firm had revenue of $20.73 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $22.01 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.25 earnings per share. Energy Transfer’s revenue for the quarter was up 13.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts anticipate that Energy Transfer will post 1.35 earnings per share for the current year.

Energy Transfer Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 19th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 9th were given a dividend of $0.32 per share. This is a positive change from Energy Transfer’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.32. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 9th. This represents a $1.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 7.80%. Energy Transfer’s dividend payout ratio is presently 117.43%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have weighed in on the company. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on Energy Transfer from $19.00 to $20.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday. UBS Group lifted their target price on Energy Transfer from $22.00 to $23.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 18th. Finally, Bank of America initiated coverage on Energy Transfer in a research note on Thursday. They set a “buy” rating and a $20.00 target price for the company. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $20.00.

Insider Activity at Energy Transfer

In related news, Director Kelcy L. Warren acquired 3,000,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Monday, August 12th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $15.68 per share, for a total transaction of $47,040,000.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now directly owns 123,385,650 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,934,686,992. The trade was a 0.00 % increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, EVP Gregory G. Mcilwain bought 20,000 shares of Energy Transfer stock in a transaction on Friday, August 23rd. The shares were purchased at an average price of $15.68 per share, for a total transaction of $313,600.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the executive vice president now owns 591,211 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,270,188.48. This represents a 0.00 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Kelcy L. Warren purchased 3,000,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 12th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $15.68 per share, for a total transaction of $47,040,000.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 123,385,650 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,934,686,992. This trade represents a 0.00 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders bought 3,040,000 shares of company stock worth $47,667,200. 3.28% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. NBC Securities Inc. boosted its stake in Energy Transfer by 4.3% during the 1st quarter. NBC Securities Inc. now owns 56,366 shares of the pipeline company’s stock valued at $886,000 after purchasing an additional 2,326 shares during the last quarter. Sanders Morris Harris LLC boosted its stake in Energy Transfer by 76.2% during the 1st quarter. Sanders Morris Harris LLC now owns 83,102 shares of the pipeline company’s stock valued at $1,307,000 after purchasing an additional 35,946 shares during the last quarter. &PARTNERS purchased a new stake in Energy Transfer during the 1st quarter valued at $159,000. Paragon Capital Management Ltd boosted its stake in Energy Transfer by 23.0% during the 1st quarter. Paragon Capital Management Ltd now owns 68,724 shares of the pipeline company’s stock valued at $1,081,000 after purchasing an additional 12,834 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Royal Fund Management LLC boosted its stake in Energy Transfer by 7.7% during the 1st quarter. Royal Fund Management LLC now owns 107,648 shares of the pipeline company’s stock valued at $1,693,000 after purchasing an additional 7,707 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 38.22% of the company’s stock.

About Energy Transfer

Energy Transfer LP provides energy-related services. The company owns and operates natural gas transportation pipeline, and natural gas storage facilities in Texas and Oklahoma; and approximately 20,090 miles of interstate natural gas pipeline. It also sells natural gas to electric utilities, independent power plants, local distribution and other marketing companies, and industrial end-users.