Golar LNG Limited (NASDAQ:GLNG) Given Average Rating of “Buy” by Analysts

Shares of Golar LNG Limited (NASDAQ:GLNG) have earned a consensus rating of “Buy” from the nine ratings firms that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, three have assigned a buy rating and three have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price target among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $50.50.

Several equities analysts have weighed in on GLNG shares. Zacks Research raised Golar LNG from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, January 5th. BTIG Research increased their price target on Golar LNG from $50.00 to $53.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 25th. Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of Golar LNG in a report on Monday, December 29th. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $56.00 price objective on Golar LNG in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Golar LNG from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Saturday, February 28th.

Golar LNG Stock Performance

Shares of GLNG stock opened at $46.65 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $4.88 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 72.89 and a beta of 0.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19, a quick ratio of 1.32 and a current ratio of 2.55. Golar LNG has a 52 week low of $29.56 and a 52 week high of $47.21. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $41.21 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $40.13.

Golar LNG (NASDAQ:GLNG) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 25th. The shipping company reported $0.30 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.38 by ($0.08). The company had revenue of $132.81 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $123.29 million. Golar LNG had a net margin of 16.69% and a return on equity of 6.24%. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Golar LNG will post 1.39 earnings per share for the current year.

Golar LNG Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 18th. Investors of record on Monday, March 9th will be paid a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 9th. Golar LNG’s dividend payout ratio is presently 156.25%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd lifted its position in shares of Golar LNG by 278.2% during the third quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 658 shares of the shipping company’s stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 484 shares in the last quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Golar LNG by 281.9% during the 3rd quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 909 shares of the shipping company’s stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 671 shares during the period. Allworth Financial LP raised its stake in shares of Golar LNG by 43.5% during the 2nd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 990 shares of the shipping company’s stock valued at $41,000 after purchasing an additional 300 shares during the period. Crossingbridge Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Golar LNG during the 2nd quarter worth about $41,000. Finally, Zions Bancorporation National Association UT bought a new position in Golar LNG in the 4th quarter worth about $44,000. 92.21% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Golar LNG

Golar LNG Ltd. is a leading owner and operator of liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers and floating infrastructure. The company specializes in the transportation of LNG on long-term and spot charters for major energy firms around the world. In addition to shipping, Golar LNG has broadened its services to include project development and the conversion of existing carriers into Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) and Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) vessels.

Since pioneering the first purpose-built FLNG conversion project, Golar LNG has been at the forefront of offshore gas monetization.