Blue Trust Inc. Has $86,000 Stock Position in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)

Blue Trust Inc. reduced its position in shares of National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) by 65.7% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 1,424 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock after selling 2,729 shares during the period. Blue Trust Inc.’s holdings in National Fuel Gas were worth $86,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Kentucky Trust Co acquired a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas during the fourth quarter worth $25,000. Capital Performance Advisors LLP bought a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas in the 3rd quarter valued at $28,000. UMB Bank n.a. lifted its stake in shares of National Fuel Gas by 82.9% in the 4th quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 481 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 218 shares during the last quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas in the 3rd quarter valued at $35,000. Finally, S.A. Mason LLC bought a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas in the 4th quarter valued at $38,000. 73.96% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

National Fuel Gas Stock Performance

NYSE NFG opened at $72.58 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $6.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -518.41 and a beta of 0.64. National Fuel Gas has a twelve month low of $48.06 and a twelve month high of $73.60. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $66.48 and a 200 day simple moving average of $62.76. The company has a quick ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 0.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80.

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 29th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.66 earnings per share for the quarter, beating 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 period in the prior year, the business earned $1.46 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts expect that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 EPS for the current year.

National Fuel Gas Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 31st were issued a dividend of $0.515 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, December 31st. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.84%. National Fuel Gas’s payout ratio is currently -1,471.32%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other National Fuel Gas news, insider Justin I. Loweth sold 19,532 shares of the 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 completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 41,841 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,605,439.07. This trade represents a 31.83 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, insider Donna L. Decarolis sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $62.58, for a total value of $625,800.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 81,519 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,101,459.02. The trade was a 10.93 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 1.41% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have recently commented on NFG shares. Argus upgraded National Fuel Gas to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 19th. Bank of America started coverage on National Fuel Gas in a research note on Monday, October 28th. They issued an “underperform” rating and a $62.00 price target for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on National Fuel Gas from $65.00 to $64.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, November 12th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded National Fuel Gas from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 4th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating, one has issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target 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.