National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) Given New $81.00 Price Target at JPMorgan Chase & Co.

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) had its price objective lifted by stock analysts at JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $77.00 to $81.00 in a research report issued on Thursday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a “neutral” rating on the oil and gas producer’s stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co.‘s price objective suggests a potential upside of 8.50% from the company’s previous close.

A number of other equities analysts have also recently commented on the company. StockNews.com raised National Fuel Gas from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. Argus raised National Fuel Gas to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 19th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating, one has issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $74.67.

National Fuel Gas Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE NFG traded up $0.99 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $74.65. 348,141 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 507,253. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $70.06 and a 200 day moving average of $64.12. National Fuel Gas has a 1 year low of $50.44 and a 1 year high of $76.26. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a current ratio of 0.39. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.76 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -533.19 and a beta of 0.57.

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, January 29th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.66 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.44 by $0.22. National Fuel Gas had a negative net margin of 0.53% and a positive return on equity of 15.96%. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.46 earnings per share. On average, analysts forecast that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On National Fuel Gas

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Kentucky Trust Co bought a new stake in National Fuel Gas during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. UMB Bank n.a. boosted its stake in National Fuel Gas by 82.9% in the 4th quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 481 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 218 shares during the period. Quarry LP purchased a new stake in National Fuel Gas during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Venturi Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of National Fuel Gas during the third quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Finally, Ameriflex Group Inc. purchased a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas in the fourth quarter worth $36,000. 73.96% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About National Fuel Gas

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.