Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank Has $1.04 Million Stake in National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)

Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank increased its position in shares of National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) by 7.2% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 20,673 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock after acquiring an additional 1,380 shares during the quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank’s holdings in National Fuel Gas were worth $1,037,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Mackenzie Financial Corp boosted its stake in National Fuel Gas by 12.9% during the 4th quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 298,410 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock worth $14,971,000 after acquiring an additional 34,156 shares during the last quarter. Cullen Investment Group LTD. bought a new position in National Fuel Gas during the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,674,000. Cornercap Investment Counsel Inc. boosted its stake in National Fuel Gas by 7.2% during the 4th quarter. Cornercap Investment Counsel Inc. now owns 20,262 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock worth $1,017,000 after acquiring an additional 1,355 shares during the last quarter. Strs Ohio bought a new position in National Fuel Gas during the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,884,000. Finally, Louisiana State Employees Retirement System bought a new position in National Fuel Gas during the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,294,000. Institutional investors own 73.96% of the company’s stock.

National Fuel Gas Stock Performance

Shares of NFG opened at $53.83 on Friday. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $51.78 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $50.87. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.75, a quick ratio of 0.47 and a current ratio of 0.56. The firm has a market cap of $4.96 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.29 and a beta of 0.63. National Fuel Gas has a twelve month low of $45.32 and a twelve month high of $56.67.

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 8th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.46 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.32 by $0.14. The business had revenue of $525.36 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $664.57 million. National Fuel Gas had a net margin of 21.58% and a return on equity of 14.81%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was down 20.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.84 earnings per share. On average, analysts forecast that National Fuel Gas will post 4.55 EPS for the current fiscal year.

National Fuel Gas Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 28th were given a $0.495 dividend. This represents a $1.98 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.68%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, March 27th. National Fuel Gas’s dividend payout ratio is presently 41.51%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms recently weighed in on NFG. StockNews.com raised shares of National Fuel Gas from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 20th. Scotiabank lifted their price target on shares of National Fuel Gas from $67.00 to $72.00 and gave the company a “sector outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, April 11th.

National Fuel Gas Company 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.