EP Wealth Advisors LLC Invests $342,000 in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)

EP Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor purchased 5,636 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock, valued at approximately $342,000.

Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of National Fuel Gas by 12.6% during the 3rd quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 7,698 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock worth $467,000 after acquiring an additional 859 shares in the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC bought a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas in the third quarter valued at approximately $1,277,000. Evergreen Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of National Fuel Gas in the second quarter worth $718,000. BNP Paribas Financial Markets boosted its holdings in shares of National Fuel Gas by 76.1% during the 3rd quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 31,790 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock worth $1,927,000 after buying an additional 13,739 shares during the period. Finally, Legacy Bridge LLC acquired a new position in National Fuel Gas in the 3rd quarter valued at $1,066,000. 73.96% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

National Fuel Gas Stock Down 1.4 %

NFG stock opened at $60.78 on Friday. The business’s 50-day simple moving average is $61.57 and its 200 day simple moving average is $59.04. 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 company has a market cap of $5.52 billion, a PE ratio of 75.04 and a beta of 0.63. 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 company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 31st will be given a dividend of $0.515 per share. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.39%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 31st. National Fuel Gas’s dividend payout ratio is presently 254.32%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on shares of National Fuel Gas from $65.00 to $64.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, November 12th. Scotiabank increased their target price on National Fuel Gas from $80.00 to $81.00 and gave the company a “sector outperform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 20th. StockNews.com downgraded National Fuel Gas from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report on Saturday, November 30th. Bank of America started 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, Argus raised shares of National Fuel Gas to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 19th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating, one has assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, National Fuel Gas presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $69.00.

Insider Activity at National Fuel Gas

In related news, General Counsel Michael W. Reville sold 1,700 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, September 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $60.77, for a total value of $103,309.00. Following the sale, the general counsel now owns 8,203 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $498,496.31. The trade was a 17.17 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, insider Donna L. Decarolis sold 10,000 shares of National Fuel Gas stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $62.58, for a total value of $625,800.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly 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. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 31,232 shares of company stock worth $1,945,367. 1.55% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

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.