Energy Transfer (NYSE:ET) Given New $26.00 Price Target at Morgan Stanley

Energy Transfer (NYSE:ET) had its price target boosted by Morgan Stanley from $20.00 to $26.00 in a research note published on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has an overweight rating on the pipeline company’s stock.

Several other research firms have also weighed in on ET. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their target price on shares of Energy Transfer from $21.00 to $23.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on Energy Transfer from $20.00 to $23.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Monday, December 9th. Citigroup reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Energy Transfer in a report on Monday. UBS Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Energy Transfer in a research report on Tuesday, March 4th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their target price on shares of Energy Transfer from $17.00 to $20.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, December 19th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Energy Transfer presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $22.09.

Energy Transfer Trading Down 0.1 %

Shares of Energy Transfer stock opened at $18.90 on Tuesday. Energy Transfer has a twelve month low of $14.90 and a twelve month high of $21.45. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $19.49 and its 200 day moving average price is $18.34. The company has a current ratio of 1.12, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.42. The firm has a market capitalization of $64.86 billion, a PE ratio of 14.77, a P/E/G ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 1.72.

Energy Transfer (NYSE:ET) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The pipeline company reported $0.29 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.35 by ($0.06). Energy Transfer had a return on equity of 11.56% and a net margin of 5.74%. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Energy Transfer will post 1.46 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Energy Transfer Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 19th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 7th were paid a $0.325 dividend. This is a boost from Energy Transfer’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.32. This represents a $1.30 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.88%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 7th. Energy Transfer’s payout ratio is currently 101.56%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Energy Transfer

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Mountain Hill Investment Partners Corp. acquired a new stake in shares of Energy Transfer in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Capital A Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Energy Transfer during the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. GAMMA Investing LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Energy Transfer in the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. Fourth Dimension Wealth LLC purchased a new position in Energy Transfer in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Finally, United Community Bank purchased a new position in Energy Transfer in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 38.22% of the company’s stock.

Energy Transfer Company Profile

Energy Transfer LP provides energy-related services. The company owns and operates natural gas transportation pipeline, and natural gas storage facilities in Texas and Oklahoma; and approximately 20,090 miles of interstate natural gas pipeline. It also sells natural gas to electric utilities, independent power plants, local distribution and other marketing companies, and industrial end-users.