Kinder Morgan (NYSE:KMI) Given New $23.00 Price Target at JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Kinder Morgan (NYSE:KMI) had its price objective increased by JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $20.00 to $23.00 in a research report released on Thursday morning, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a neutral rating on the pipeline company’s stock.

Several other equities analysts also recently issued reports on KMI. Tudor Pickering raised shares of Kinder Morgan to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, May 30th. Scotiabank increased their price target on shares of Kinder Morgan from $19.00 to $21.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 17th. UBS Group increased their price target on shares of Kinder Morgan from $22.00 to $24.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 12th. Argus raised shares of Kinder Morgan from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $24.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Friday, July 19th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised shares of Kinder Morgan from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and increased their price target for the stock from $18.00 to $22.00 in a research note on Tuesday, June 4th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $22.25.

Kinder Morgan Stock Performance

Shares of KMI opened at $21.12 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.90, a quick ratio of 0.38 and a current ratio of 0.37. The company has a market capitalization of $46.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.16, a PEG ratio of 3.19 and a beta of 0.93. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $19.93 and its 200 day simple moving average is $18.58. Kinder Morgan has a 1 year low of $15.89 and a 1 year high of $21.86.

Kinder Morgan (NYSE:KMI) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 17th. The pipeline company reported $0.25 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.26 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $3.57 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.13 billion. Kinder Morgan had a net margin of 15.93% and a return on equity of 7.89%. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 2.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.24 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Kinder Morgan will post 1.23 EPS for the current year.

Kinder Morgan Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, August 15th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, July 31st will be given a $0.2875 dividend. This represents a $1.15 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.45%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, July 31st. Kinder Morgan’s payout ratio is currently 104.55%.

Insider Transactions at Kinder Morgan

In other news, VP Dax Sanders sold 50,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $19.75, for a total value of $987,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 259,069 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,116,612.75. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, VP Sital K. Mody sold 21,413 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $21.25, for a total transaction of $455,026.25. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 25,169 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $534,841.25. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, VP Dax Sanders sold 50,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $19.75, for a total transaction of $987,500.00. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 259,069 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,116,612.75. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 12.64% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Kinder Morgan

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in KMI. American Century Companies Inc. grew its holdings in Kinder Morgan by 21.2% during the 3rd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 282,404 shares of the pipeline company’s stock valued at $4,682,000 after purchasing an additional 49,395 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in Kinder Morgan by 4.1% during the 4th quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 1,414,889 shares of the pipeline company’s stock worth $24,959,000 after acquiring an additional 55,820 shares in the last quarter. Trueblood Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Kinder Morgan during the 4th quarter worth $224,000. Saxon Interests Inc. acquired a new position in Kinder Morgan during the 4th quarter worth $376,000. Finally, McGlone Suttner Wealth Management Inc. grew its holdings in Kinder Morgan by 6.6% during the 4th quarter. McGlone Suttner Wealth Management Inc. now owns 15,042 shares of the pipeline company’s stock worth $265,000 after acquiring an additional 934 shares in the last quarter. 62.52% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Kinder Morgan

Kinder Morgan, Inc operates as an energy infrastructure company primarily in North America. The company operates through Natural Gas Pipelines, Products Pipelines, Terminals, and CO2 segments. The Natural Gas Pipelines segment owns and operates interstate and intrastate natural gas pipeline, and storage systems; natural gas gathering systems and natural gas processing and treating facilities; natural gas liquids fractionation facilities and transportation systems; and liquefied natural gas gasification, liquefaction, and storage facilities.