Clarus Group Inc., an investment management firm, recently cut its holdings in shares of Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET) by 11.9% during the fourth quarter. The move comes as the company evaluates and tailors its portfolio position in energy investments. Despite the reduction in holdings, Energy Transfer still owns Clarus Group Inc. makes up about 0.6% of its holdings, making the stock its 28th biggest position. Clarus Group Inc.’s holdings in Energy Transfer were worth $726,000 during the Q4, according to a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.
Energy Transfer operates pipelines that transport oil and gas products across the U.S. and has experienced substantial revenue growth since the company’s founding nearly two decades ago. The company announced a positive change regarding its quarterly dividend rate, which was paid to investors of record on Tuesday, February 21st, on Tuesday, 7th. Shareholders collected a dividend of $0.305 per share, up from $0.27 the previous quarterly dividend for Energy Transfer, and the annualized dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 87.77%.
In additional news related to Energy Transfer’s operations and financial position, President Kelsey L. Warren purchased 1,339,398 shares of the business’s stock valued at approximately $17 million in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 22nd, for a total purchase price of approximately $12.99 per share. Just over $739 million.
Due to pipeline industry environmental concerns and COVID-19-induced restrictions on global travel demand, oil consumption is declining against competition from alternative energy sources, and global trends are expected to continue, which could mitigate the worsening market conditions for affected regions as well. There are open concerns about forcing investors to take increasing but manageable risks while potential beneficiaries remain stable with cautiously unpredictable valuations.
Energy Transfer: The pipeline company receives positive analyst ratings and institutional investment
Energy Transfer: Pipeline Company Receiving Positive Respect
Energy Transfer (NYSE:ET) is a pipeline company whose shares have been modifying holdings recently. A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have grown their holdings in the company, including Dynamic Advisory Solutions LLC, Castleark Management LLC, Mutual Advisors LLC, and HBW Advisory Services LLC. Together they own 37.81% of the company’s stock.
Many analysts have rated ET shares positively. Wells Fargo & Company gave them an “overweight” rating and recently upped their price target to $16.00 from $15.00, while Barclays also gave the stock an “overweight” rating and upped their price target from $14.00 to $15.00.
Morgan Stanley increased their price target from $17.00 to $18.00 with an “overweight” rating, while Citigroup initiated their coverage on the stock with a “buy” rating and a $16.00 price target for the company. Finally, Raymond James gave shares of ET a “strong-buy” rating and upped their price target from $15.00 to $17.
All told, seven equities research analysts have now rated the stock as a buy and one has given an encouraging strong buy rating to the firm. According to data collected by Bloomberg.com, Energy Transfer currently has a consensus rating of “Buy”, giving it a valuation range of around USD 16.43 – this certainly bodes well for institutional investment.
The pipeline company disclosed late last month that it had raised its quarterly dividend payout ratio by nearly 13%, from UD 0.27 to US 0.305 per share effective February 21, representing an annualized dividend yield of 9.75%. This move allows energy transfers to remain attractive to investors even during volatile market conditions or operational performance that may be slightly uneven.
Shares of ET traded down $0.25, closing at $12.51, on Friday, according to the latest data. The firm has a market capitalization of USD 38.71 billion and a PE ratio of nine, making it an attractive buy for investors looking to hedge their bets against lower equity-earning options.
Energy Transfer LP was last in the news on February 15 when it released its quarterly earnings data, missing analysts’ expectations of earnings per share (EPS) of USD 0.34 compared to an estimated EPS of USD 0.37 but showing revenue growth. About 9.9%, which could be a positive long-term development.
For more information and analysis on the future of energy transfers in niche markets and institutional investment circles, hedge fund interest and positive developments should stay on top of them as they unfold.