Truist Financial Corp Lowers Stock Holdings in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)

Truist Financial Corp decreased its position in shares of National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) by 6.6% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 8,619 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock after selling 608 shares during the period. Truist Financial Corp’s holdings in National Fuel Gas were worth $523,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. raised its position in National Fuel Gas by 12.6% during the third quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 7,698 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock valued at $467,000 after purchasing an additional 859 shares in the last quarter. Clear Creek Financial Management LLC purchased a new stake in National Fuel Gas during the fourth quarter valued at about $238,000. Zacks Investment Management purchased a new stake in National Fuel Gas during the third quarter valued at about $957,000. Empowered Funds LLC purchased a new stake in National Fuel Gas during the third quarter valued at about $1,277,000. Finally, Vestcor Inc purchased a new stake in National Fuel Gas during the third quarter valued at about $716,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 73.96% of the company’s stock.

National Fuel Gas Stock Up 0.0 %

NFG opened at $75.23 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $6.81 billion, a P/E ratio of -537.32 and a beta of 0.64. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $68.18 and its 200-day moving average price is $63.40. The company has a current ratio of 0.39, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80. National Fuel Gas has a 12 month low of $48.68 and a 12 month high of $76.26.

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 29th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.66 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate 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 company earned $1.46 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 EPS for the current year.

National Fuel Gas Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 31st were paid a $0.515 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, December 31st. This represents a $2.06 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.74%. National Fuel Gas’s payout ratio is presently -1,471.43%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have weighed in on NFG. StockNews.com upgraded National Fuel Gas from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 4th. Argus upgraded National Fuel Gas to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 19th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on National Fuel Gas from $65.00 to $64.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, November 12th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, National Fuel Gas has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $69.00.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Donna L. Decarolis sold 10,000 shares of the firm’s 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 directly owns 81,519 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,101,459.02. This trade represents a 10.93 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 1.41% of the stock is owned by insiders.

About National Fuel Gas

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.