EQT (NYSE:EQT) Cut to “Hold” at Zacks Research

Zacks Research lowered shares of EQT (NYSE:EQT) from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report released on Wednesday morning,Zacks.com reports. Zacks Research also issued estimates for EQT’s Q1 2026 earnings at $1.87 EPS, Q2 2026 earnings at $0.62 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $3.72 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $1.19 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $0.89 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $1.27 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $3.96 EPS, Q1 2028 earnings at $1.12 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $5.56 EPS.

A number of other equities analysts have also recently weighed in on EQT. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a “buy” rating on shares of EQT in a research report on Sunday, January 18th. Citigroup lifted their price target on shares of EQT from $62.00 to $66.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, April 17th. Scotiabank reduced their price target on shares of EQT from $67.00 to $63.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 21st. Barclays lifted their price target on shares of EQT from $67.00 to $69.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, March 16th. Finally, TD Securities raised shares of EQT to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Friday, February 20th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty have issued a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $68.75.

EQT Price Performance

Shares of EQT stock opened at $58.89 on Wednesday. EQT has a 52-week low of $48.31 and a 52-week high of $68.24. The stock has a market cap of $36.84 billion, a PE ratio of 11.17, a PEG ratio of 1.04 and a beta of 0.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a current ratio of 0.66. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $61.16 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $57.49.

EQT (NYSE:EQT) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 21st. The oil and gas producer reported $2.33 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.01 by $0.32. EQT had a net margin of 31.94% and a return on equity of 9.74%. The firm had revenue of $3.14 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.14 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.18 earnings per share. As a group, analysts forecast that EQT will post 4.53 EPS for the current year.

EQT Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 1st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, May 6th will be given a dividend of $0.165 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, May 6th. This represents a $0.66 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.1%. EQT’s dividend payout ratio is currently 19.94%.

Insider Transactions at EQT

In other news, CAO Todd James sold 32,514 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $61.12, for a total transaction of $1,987,255.68. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer owned 58,796 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $3,593,611.52. This represents a 35.61% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Lesley Evancho sold 20,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $60.69, for a total transaction of $1,213,800.00. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 184,607 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $11,203,798.83. This represents a 9.77% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold 61,158 shares of company stock valued at $3,742,983 over the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 0.72% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Greykasell Wealth Strategies Inc. acquired a new position in EQT during the fourth quarter worth $26,000. Aventura Private Wealth LLC acquired a new position in EQT during the fourth quarter worth $31,000. Fortitude Family Office LLC boosted its holdings in EQT by 95.6% during the fourth quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 573 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 280 shares during the last quarter. Root Financial Partners LLC boosted its holdings in EQT by 35.4% during the first quarter. Root Financial Partners LLC now owns 773 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock worth $49,000 after purchasing an additional 202 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Elyxium Wealth LLC acquired a new position in EQT during the fourth quarter worth $49,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.81% of the company’s stock.

EQT News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting EQT this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q1 results showed strength — revenue rose to ~$3.38B, net income and EPS beat, and management reported record free cash flow of ~$1.8B and materially lower net debt, shifting EQT toward sub-1x leverage and greater financial flexibility. This underpins buyback/dividend capacity and deleveraging credibility. The Bull Case For EQT
• Positive Sentiment: Deep-dive coverage highlights stronger-than-expected Q1 revenue and non-GAAP EPS that topped estimates, reinforcing the operational case (demand for natural gas, LNG optionality, capital discipline). These fundamentals support continued free cash flow generation. EQT Q1 Deep Dive
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks and other outlets have also published optimistic forward-looking commentary (positive view on FY2027 earnings), but messaging is mixed across Zacks products — some positive outlooks coexist with later rating adjustments (see below). Zacks Research Has Optimistic Outlook of EQT FY2027 Earnings
• Neutral Sentiment: Roth Capital reiterated a Neutral rating with a $57 price target; the note highlights a ~$304M derivatives loss in Q1 tied to hedging — a reminder that mark-to-market hedging volatility can affect reported results even as core cash generation stays strong. Roth Capital Maintains Neutral Rating on EQT
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst comparisons (VG vs. EQT) and sector pieces place EQT against LNG growth stories — useful for relative valuation and growth trade-offs but not an immediate company-specific catalyst. VG vs. EQT: Which Natural Gas Stock Is the Better Buy Now?
• Neutral Sentiment: EQT announced an AI infrastructure strategy (corporate initiative); impact on core E&P cash flows is unclear short-term but may signal diversification or service opportunities longer term. EQT Introduces AI Infrastructure Strategy
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks Research downgraded EQT from “strong-buy” to “hold,” which can weigh on momentum and investor sentiment, particularly given the stock’s recent run and the crowded energy trade. Zacks.com Downgrade
• Negative Sentiment: Unusual options activity: traders purchased a high volume of EQT put options, indicating speculative or hedged bearish positioning that can amplify downside volatility in the near term. Traders Purchase High Volume of EQT Put Options

About EQT

EQT Corporation (NYSE: EQT) is a U.S.-based energy company focused on the exploration, development and production of natural gas. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the company concentrates its upstream operations in the Appalachian Basin, producing from major shale formations including the Marcellus and Utica. EQT’s primary product is natural gas, with production activities supported by associated liquids and conventional gas assets where applicable.

In addition to drilling and well development, EQT operates and coordinates the infrastructure and commercial activities necessary to bring gas to market.