Whipplewood Advisors LLC Takes Position in Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET)

Whipplewood Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET) in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 29,691 shares of the pipeline company’s stock, valued at approximately $582,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Allworth Financial LP increased its stake in Energy Transfer by 11.7% during the third quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 33,880 shares of the pipeline company’s stock valued at $544,000 after purchasing an additional 3,540 shares during the last quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Energy Transfer by 3.2% in the 3rd quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 718,823 shares of the pipeline company’s stock valued at $11,537,000 after buying an additional 22,053 shares during the period. Pallas Capital Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Energy Transfer during the 3rd quarter valued at about $197,000. Integrated Advisors Network LLC raised its stake in Energy Transfer by 162.8% during the third quarter. Integrated Advisors Network LLC now owns 98,146 shares of the pipeline company’s stock worth $1,575,000 after acquiring an additional 60,805 shares during the period. Finally, MONECO Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Energy Transfer by 3.9% in the third quarter. MONECO Advisors LLC now owns 39,947 shares of the pipeline company’s stock worth $641,000 after acquiring an additional 1,482 shares during the last quarter. 38.22% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Energy Transfer Stock Performance

Shares of ET opened at $19.15 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $65.69 billion, a PE ratio of 14.96, a P/E/G ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 1.69. The company has a quick ratio of 0.88, a current ratio of 1.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.42. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $19.90 and a 200 day moving average price of $17.98. Energy Transfer LP has a 52-week low of $14.52 and a 52-week high of $21.45.

Energy Transfer (NYSE:ET) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 11th. The pipeline company reported $0.29 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.35 by ($0.06). Energy Transfer had a net margin of 5.74% and a return on equity of 11.56%. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Energy Transfer LP will post 1.46 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Energy Transfer Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 19th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 7th were given a dividend of $0.325 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 7th. This is a boost from Energy Transfer’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.32. This represents a $1.30 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.79%. Energy Transfer’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 101.56%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have recently commented on the company. Citigroup upped their target price on Energy Transfer from $20.00 to $22.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price objective on Energy Transfer from $20.00 to $23.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, December 9th. Stifel Nicolaus increased their target price on Energy Transfer from $21.00 to $23.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. Barclays boosted their price target on shares of Energy Transfer from $22.00 to $25.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, January 13th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on shares of Energy Transfer from $17.00 to $20.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, December 19th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $21.55.

Energy Transfer Profile

Energy Transfer LP provides energy-related services. The company owns and operates natural gas transportation pipeline, and natural gas storage facilities in Texas and Oklahoma; and approximately 20,090 miles of interstate natural gas pipeline. It also sells natural gas to electric utilities, independent power plants, local distribution and other marketing companies, and industrial end-users.