National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) Shares Acquired by Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors LLC

Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) by 0.8% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 214,098 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock after buying an additional 1,667 shares during the period. National Fuel Gas accounts for approximately 0.9% of Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors LLC’s holdings, making the stock its 22nd biggest position. Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors LLC owned 0.24% of National Fuel Gas worth $12,991,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the business. American Century Companies Inc. grew its position in shares of National Fuel Gas by 9.2% during the 4th quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 42,719 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock valued at $2,592,000 after buying an additional 3,587 shares during the last quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP grew its position in shares of National Fuel Gas by 44.2% during the 4th quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP now owns 10,055 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock valued at $610,000 after buying an additional 3,083 shares during the last quarter. Summit Global Investments grew its position in shares of National Fuel Gas by 16.4% during the 4th quarter. Summit Global Investments now owns 54,836 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock valued at $3,327,000 after buying an additional 7,740 shares during the last quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas grew its position in shares of National Fuel Gas by 169.5% during the 4th quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 46,838 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock valued at $2,842,000 after buying an additional 29,458 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Harvest Fund Management Co. Ltd bought a new stake in shares of National Fuel Gas during the 4th quarter valued at about $124,000. Institutional investors own 73.96% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

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

National Fuel Gas Price Performance

NYSE NFG opened at $78.18 on Friday. National Fuel Gas has a 52 week low of $51.46 and a 52 week high of $79.35. The company has a current ratio of 0.39, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80. The stock has a market cap of $7.08 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -558.41 and a beta of 0.57. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $72.27 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $64.96.

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 29th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.66 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates 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 last year, the firm earned $1.46 EPS. Analysts forecast that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 EPS for the current year.

National Fuel Gas Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 31st will be issued a $0.515 dividend. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.63%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 31st. National Fuel Gas’s payout ratio is -1,471.43%.

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.