Cheniere Energy (NYSE:LNG) Downgraded to Hold Rating by Zacks Research

Zacks Research cut shares of Cheniere Energy (NYSE:LNG) from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report released on Tuesday,Zacks.com reports.

A number of other research firms have also recently weighed in on LNG. Barclays upped their price objective on shares of Cheniere Energy from $274.00 to $279.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, August 7th. UBS Group set a $290.00 target price on shares of Cheniere Energy in a research report on Wednesday, May 13th. Benchmark reissued an “outperform” rating on shares of Cheniere Energy in a research note on Tuesday, May 26th. Morgan Stanley restated an “overweight” rating and set a $310.00 price target on shares of Cheniere Energy in a research report on Friday, August 7th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of Cheniere Energy from $327.00 to $334.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have issued a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $299.88.

Cheniere Energy Trading Up 0.9%

Shares of LNG stock opened at $267.91 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.55, a current ratio of 0.57 and a quick ratio of 0.48. The company has a market cap of $55.33 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.95 and a beta of -0.01. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $250.50 and a 200-day simple moving average of $247.86. Cheniere Energy has a 1-year low of $186.20 and a 1-year high of $300.89.

Cheniere Energy Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 18th. Investors of record on Monday, August 10th will be paid a dividend of $0.555 per share. This represents a $2.22 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 10th. Cheniere Energy’s dividend payout ratio is currently 16.53%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of LNG. Compass Financial Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Cheniere Energy during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $327,000. Alta Advisers Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Cheniere Energy in the second quarter valued at approximately $224,000. Ninepoint Partners LP acquired a new stake in shares of Cheniere Energy in the second quarter valued at approximately $1,396,000. Knuff & Co LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Cheniere Energy in the second quarter valued at approximately $735,000. Finally, Great Lakes Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Cheniere Energy during the second quarter worth approximately $2,102,000. 87.26% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Cheniere Energy Company Profile

Cheniere Energy, Inc is a U.S.-based energy company that develops, owns and operates liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure and markets LNG to global customers. The company’s core activities include natural gas liquefaction, long‑term and short‑term LNG sales and marketing, and the associated midstream services required to move gas from production basins to international markets. Cheniere focuses on converting domestic natural gas into LNG for export, providing a bridge between North American supply and overseas demand.

Cheniere’s principal operating assets are large-scale LNG export terminals located on the U.S.