Cozad Asset Management Inc. Sells 2,843 Shares of National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)

Cozad Asset Management Inc. decreased its position in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) by 9.1% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 28,390 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock after selling 2,843 shares during the period. Cozad Asset Management Inc.’s holdings in National Fuel Gas were worth $1,723,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Natixis Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of National Fuel Gas by 6.8% in the fourth quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC now owns 54,828 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock worth $3,327,000 after purchasing an additional 3,495 shares during the last quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC grew its holdings in shares of National Fuel Gas by 7.3% in the fourth quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 116,683 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock worth $7,080,000 after purchasing an additional 7,924 shares during the last quarter. IAG Wealth Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas in the fourth quarter worth approximately $46,000. Essential Planning LLC. purchased a new stake in National Fuel Gas in the fourth quarter worth $272,000. Finally, HighTower Advisors LLC lifted its stake in National Fuel Gas by 33.1% in the fourth quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 32,494 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock worth $1,972,000 after acquiring an additional 8,086 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 73.96% of the company’s stock.

National Fuel Gas Stock Performance

Shares of National Fuel Gas stock opened at $77.06 on Tuesday. 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 firm has a market capitalization of $6.98 billion, a P/E ratio of -550.42 and a beta of 0.57. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $70.96 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $64.51. National Fuel Gas has a 12 month low of $51.14 and a 12 month high of $77.90.

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

National Fuel Gas Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 31st will be given a dividend of $0.515 per share. This represents a $2.06 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.67%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 31st. National Fuel Gas’s dividend payout ratio is currently -1,471.43%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

NFG has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on National Fuel Gas from $77.00 to $81.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, March 13th. Argus raised National Fuel Gas to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 19th. Finally, StockNews.com raised National Fuel Gas from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 4th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating, one has issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $74.67.

National Fuel Gas Profile

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.