Epoch Investment Partners Inc. Acquires 4,938 Shares of Cheniere Energy, Inc. (NYSE:LNG)

Epoch Investment Partners Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Cheniere Energy, Inc. (NYSE:LNG) by 10.2% in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 53,295 shares of the energy company’s stock after purchasing an additional 4,938 shares during the period. Epoch Investment Partners Inc.’s holdings in Cheniere Energy were worth $8,595,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of LNG. Crewe Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Cheniere Energy during the first quarter worth approximately $26,000. Cooksen Wealth LLC acquired a new position in Cheniere Energy during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Riverview Trust Co acquired a new position in Cheniere Energy during the first quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Scarborough Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Cheniere Energy during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $45,000. Finally, Eagle Bay Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Cheniere Energy during the first quarter valued at approximately $50,000. Institutional investors own 87.26% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have commented on LNG. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on shares of Cheniere Energy from $213.00 to $214.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, May 17th. Barclays upped their price target on shares of Cheniere Energy from $194.00 to $199.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 17th. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price objective on shares of Cheniere Energy from $204.00 to $208.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, May 6th. UBS Group reduced their price objective on shares of Cheniere Energy from $223.00 to $206.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 24th. Finally, Redburn Atlantic assumed coverage on shares of Cheniere Energy in a research note on Tuesday, April 16th. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $162.00 price objective on the stock. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $199.09.

Cheniere Energy Stock Up 0.2 %

NYSE LNG opened at $176.72 on Monday. Cheniere Energy, Inc. has a 52 week low of $152.31 and a 52 week high of $184.62. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $167.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.58, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a current ratio of 0.98. The company has a market capitalization of $40.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.61 and a beta of 0.96.

Cheniere Energy (NYSE:LNG) last issued its earnings results on Friday, May 3rd. The energy company reported $2.13 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.30 by ($0.17). Cheniere Energy had a return on equity of 48.19% and a net margin of 28.55%. The firm had revenue of $4.25 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.97 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $6.89 earnings per share. Cheniere Energy’s revenue for the quarter was down 41.8% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Cheniere Energy, Inc. will post 8.29 earnings per share for the current year.

Cheniere Energy Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 16th. Investors of record on Friday, August 9th will be issued a $0.435 dividend. This represents a $1.74 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.98%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 9th. Cheniere Energy’s dividend payout ratio is currently 8.48%.

Cheniere Energy declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a share repurchase program on Monday, June 17th that permits the company to repurchase $4.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the energy company to purchase up to 9.6% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are generally an indication that the company’s leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

About Cheniere Energy

Cheniere Energy, Inc, an energy infrastructure company, primarily engages in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) related businesses in the United States. It owns and operates the Sabine Pass LNG terminal in Cameron Parish, Louisiana; and the Corpus Christi LNG terminal near Corpus Christi, Texas. The company also owns Creole Trail pipeline, a 94-mile natural gas supply pipeline that interconnects the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal with several interstate and intrastate pipelines; and operates Corpus Christi pipeline, a 21.5-mile natural gas supply pipeline that interconnects the Corpus Christi LNG terminal with various interstate and intrastate natural gas pipelines.