National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) Stock Price Expected to Rise, JPMorgan Chase & Co. Analyst Says

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) had its target price upped by JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $77.00 to $81.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday,Benzinga reports. The firm 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 current price.

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

National Fuel Gas Trading Up 1.3 %

NYSE:NFG traded up $0.99 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $74.65. The company had a trading volume of 348,141 shares, compared to its average volume of 507,253. The company has a market capitalization of $6.76 billion, a PE ratio of -533.19 and a beta of 0.57. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $70.06 and a 200 day moving average price of $64.12. National Fuel Gas has a 52 week low of $50.44 and a 52 week high of $76.26. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 0.39 and a quick ratio of 0.33.

National Fuel Gas (NYSE:NFG) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, January 29th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.66 EPS for the quarter, topping 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 period in the previous year, the business posted $1.46 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts predict that National Fuel Gas will post 6.64 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On National Fuel Gas

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Atria Investments Inc purchased a new position in shares of National Fuel Gas in the 3rd quarter worth about $219,000. Venturi Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of National Fuel Gas during the third quarter valued at approximately $35,000. First Heartland Consultants Inc. bought a new stake in shares of National Fuel Gas during the third quarter valued at approximately $295,000. MQS Management LLC increased its position in shares of National Fuel Gas by 2.0% during the third quarter. MQS Management LLC now owns 8,631 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock valued at $523,000 after acquiring an additional 166 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Huntington National Bank lifted its position in National Fuel Gas by 25.9% in the 3rd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 4,123 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock valued at $250,000 after acquiring an additional 848 shares in the last quarter. 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.