5,072 Shares in Cheniere Energy, Inc. (NYSE:LNG) Purchased by Silvercrest Asset Management Group LLC

Silvercrest Asset Management Group LLC acquired a new position in Cheniere Energy, Inc. (NYSE:LNG) during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 5,072 shares of the energy company’s stock, valued at approximately $818,000.

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Crewe Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Cheniere Energy in the 1st quarter valued at about $26,000. Cooksen Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Cheniere Energy in the 4th quarter worth $28,000. Riverview Trust Co acquired a new position in shares of Cheniere Energy during the 1st quarter valued at about $29,000. Scarborough Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Cheniere Energy in the fourth quarter valued at about $45,000. Finally, Quarry LP increased its position in Cheniere Energy by 156.3% during the fourth quarter. Quarry LP now owns 305 shares of the energy company’s stock worth $52,000 after purchasing an additional 186 shares during the last quarter. 87.26% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Cheniere Energy Stock Performance

Shares of LNG stock opened at $182.75 on Thursday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $168.51 and a two-hundred day moving average of $163.44. The stock has a market capitalization of $41.83 billion, a PE ratio of 8.90 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a quick ratio of 0.92, a current ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.58. Cheniere Energy, Inc. has a 52 week low of $152.31 and a 52 week high of $184.62.

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

Cheniere Energy announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock buyback plan on Monday, June 17th that permits the company to repurchase $4.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the energy company to reacquire up to 9.6% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are typically an indication that the company’s leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Cheniere Energy Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 16th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 9th will be given a dividend of $0.435 per share. This represents a $1.74 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.95%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 9th. Cheniere Energy’s dividend payout ratio is presently 8.48%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have weighed in on LNG shares. Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Cheniere Energy from $194.00 to $199.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 17th. Sanford C. Bernstein began coverage on Cheniere Energy in a research report on Monday, June 24th. They issued an “outperform” rating for the company. Redburn Atlantic assumed coverage on Cheniere Energy in a research report on Tuesday, April 16th. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $162.00 target price on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus increased their target price 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. Finally, StockNews.com lowered shares of Cheniere Energy from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, April 8th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $199.09.

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.