KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS Invests $2.88 Million in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)

KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS bought a new stake in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 47,100 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock, valued at approximately $2,879,000. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS owned 0.05% of National Fuel Gas at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in NFG. UMB Bank n.a. raised its stake in shares of National Fuel Gas by 82.9% in the fourth quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 481 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 218 shares during the last quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC raised its position in National Fuel Gas by 49.5% during the 4th quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 722 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock worth $44,000 after buying an additional 239 shares during the last quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. lifted its stake in National Fuel Gas by 5.0% during the 4th quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 5,906 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock valued at $358,000 after acquiring an additional 280 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its holdings in shares of National Fuel Gas by 42.7% in the 4th quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 993 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock valued at $60,000 after acquiring an additional 297 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Hancock Whitney Corp increased its stake in shares of National Fuel Gas by 1.4% in the third quarter. Hancock Whitney Corp now owns 21,363 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock worth $1,295,000 after acquiring an additional 303 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 73.96% of the company’s stock.

National Fuel Gas Trading Up 0.7 %

Shares of NYSE:NFG opened at $78.85 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -563.18 and a beta of 0.57. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $73.08 and its 200-day moving average price is $65.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 0.39 and a quick ratio of 0.33. National Fuel Gas has a 1 year low of $51.46 and a 1 year high of $79.49.

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 29th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.66 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.44 by $0.22. National Fuel Gas had a negative net margin of 0.53% and a positive return on equity of 15.96%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.46 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts forecast that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

National Fuel Gas Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Investors of record on Monday, March 31st will be given a dividend of $0.515 per share. This represents a $2.06 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.61%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 31st. National Fuel Gas’s payout ratio is -1,471.43%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have commented on NFG. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on shares of National Fuel Gas from $77.00 to $81.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, March 13th. StockNews.com upgraded National Fuel Gas from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 4th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating, one has issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $74.67.

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.