Principal Financial Group Inc. Sells 94,521 Shares of National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG)

Principal Financial Group Inc. trimmed its position in shares of National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) by 30.9% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 211,539 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock after selling 94,521 shares during the quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc.’s holdings in National Fuel Gas were worth $12,821,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in NFG. Raymond James & Associates grew its position in National Fuel Gas by 3.4% in the 2nd quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 71,036 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock worth $3,849,000 after purchasing an additional 2,320 shares in the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC grew its holdings in shares of National Fuel Gas by 28.9% in the second quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 2,942 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock valued at $159,000 after acquiring an additional 660 shares in the last quarter. Atlas Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of National Fuel Gas during the second quarter valued at approximately $78,000. International Assets Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in National Fuel Gas during the second quarter worth $114,000. Finally, Commonwealth Equity Services LLC boosted its position in National Fuel Gas by 29.9% in the second quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 105,975 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock worth $5,743,000 after purchasing an additional 24,374 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 73.96% of the company’s stock.

National Fuel Gas Trading Down 0.4 %

Shares of National Fuel Gas stock opened at $60.36 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.48 billion, a P/E ratio of 74.52 and a beta of 0.63. National Fuel Gas has a 52-week low of $45.32 and a 52-week high of $65.06. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77, a quick ratio of 0.25 and a current ratio of 0.32. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $61.48 and its 200 day simple moving average is $59.37.

National Fuel Gas Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 31st will be given a $0.515 dividend. This represents a $2.06 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.41%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 31st. National Fuel Gas’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 254.32%.

Insider Activity at National Fuel Gas

In other National Fuel Gas news, insider Donna L. Decarolis sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $62.58, for a total transaction of $625,800.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 81,519 shares in the company, valued at $5,101,459.02. This represents a 10.93 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, insider Justin I. Loweth sold 19,532 shares of National Fuel Gas stock in a transaction on Monday, December 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $62.27, for a total value of $1,216,257.64. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 41,841 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,605,439.07. This trade represents a 31.83 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.55% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. StockNews.com lowered National Fuel Gas from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on shares of National Fuel Gas from $65.00 to $64.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, November 12th. Argus raised shares of National Fuel Gas to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 19th. Finally, Bank of America started coverage on shares of National Fuel Gas in a report on Monday, October 28th. They issued an “underperform” rating and a $62.00 price target on the stock. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating, one has assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, National Fuel Gas currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $69.00.

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.