Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET) Given Consensus Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Shares of Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET) have earned an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the eleven analysts that are covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold recommendation and ten have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month price target among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $20.82.

Several research firms have issued reports on ET. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of Energy Transfer from $20.00 to $21.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 18th. Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Energy Transfer from $22.00 to $25.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, January 13th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their target price on shares of Energy Transfer from $17.00 to $20.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, December 19th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their target price on shares of Energy Transfer from $20.00 to $23.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Monday, December 9th. Finally, Bank of America assumed coverage on shares of Energy Transfer in a research report on Thursday, October 17th. They set a “buy” rating and a $20.00 target price for the company.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Mountain Hill Investment Partners Corp. purchased a new stake in shares of Energy Transfer in the fourth quarter valued at about $25,000. GAMMA Investing LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Energy Transfer in the fourth quarter valued at about $29,000. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Energy Transfer by 65.0% in the third quarter. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC now owns 1,650 shares of the pipeline company’s stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 650 shares during the period. Assetmark Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Energy Transfer by 2,138.5% in the third quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 1,746 shares of the pipeline company’s stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 1,668 shares during the period. Finally, United Community Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Energy Transfer in the fourth quarter valued at about $35,000. 38.22% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Energy Transfer Stock Performance

Energy Transfer stock opened at $19.84 on Wednesday. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $19.72 and a 200-day moving average price of $17.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a current ratio of 1.08. Energy Transfer has a fifty-two week low of $13.94 and a fifty-two week high of $21.45. The company has a market capitalization of $67.93 billion, a PE ratio of 14.59, a P/E/G ratio of 0.52 and a beta of 1.69.

Energy Transfer (NYSE:ET) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 11th. The pipeline company reported $0.29 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.35 by ($0.06). Energy Transfer had a net margin of 5.90% and a return on equity of 12.38%. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Energy Transfer will post 1.37 earnings per share for the current year.

Energy Transfer Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, February 19th. Investors of record on Friday, February 7th will be given a $0.325 dividend. This represents a $1.30 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.55%. This is an increase from Energy Transfer’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.32. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 7th. Energy Transfer’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 94.85%.

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.