Victory Capital Management Inc. Grows Stake in Cheniere Energy, Inc. $LNG

Victory Capital Management Inc. grew its position in shares of Cheniere Energy, Inc. (NYSE:LNG) by 12.5% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 2,279,078 shares of the energy company’s stock after purchasing an additional 253,469 shares during the period. Victory Capital Management Inc.’s holdings in Cheniere Energy were worth $443,031,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in LNG. Kohmann Bosshard Financial Services LLC purchased a new position in shares of Cheniere Energy during the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Cheniere Energy during the 3rd quarter valued at $27,000. Accordant Advisory Group Inc purchased a new position in shares of Cheniere Energy during the 4th quarter valued at $29,000. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Cheniere Energy during the 4th quarter valued at $43,000. Finally, Lodestone Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Cheniere Energy during the 4th quarter valued at $46,000. 87.26% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Sean N. Markowitz sold 22,246 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $290.98, for a total transaction of $6,473,141.08. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 64,000 shares in the company, valued at $18,622,720. The trade was a 25.79% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Zach Davis sold 29,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $300.00, for a total transaction of $8,700,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 87,146 shares in the company, valued at $26,143,800. This represents a 24.97% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 0.55% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Cheniere Energy Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:LNG opened at $240.85 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $50.47 billion and a price-to-earnings ratio of 39.61. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $251.29 and a 200-day moving average price of $231.21. The company has a current ratio of 0.57, a quick ratio of 0.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.55. Cheniere Energy, Inc. has a 12 month low of $186.20 and a 12 month high of $300.89.

Cheniere Energy (NYSE:LNG) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 6th. The energy company reported ($16.65) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $4.25 by ($20.90). The firm had revenue of $5.87 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.69 billion. Cheniere Energy had a net margin of 7.23% and a return on equity of 38.95%. The business’s revenue was up 7.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.57 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Cheniere Energy, Inc. will post 14.93 EPS for the current year.

Cheniere Energy declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock repurchase plan on Thursday, February 26th that authorizes the company to buyback $10.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the energy company to reacquire up to 21.1% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are typically a sign that the company’s board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.

Cheniere Energy Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, May 19th. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 11th were paid a dividend of $0.555 per share. This represents a $2.22 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, May 11th. Cheniere Energy’s dividend payout ratio is 36.51%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Zacks Research lowered shares of Cheniere Energy from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday. Benchmark reiterated an “outperform” rating on shares of Cheniere Energy in a research report on Tuesday, May 26th. Morgan Stanley cut their target price on shares of Cheniere Energy from $313.00 to $308.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 21st. Wolfe Research reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $300.00 target price on shares of Cheniere Energy in a research report on Tuesday, June 2nd. Finally, Scotiabank reiterated an “outperform” rating on shares of Cheniere Energy in a research report on Wednesday, May 13th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have given a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Cheniere Energy has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $298.63.

Cheniere Energy 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.