Epoch Investment Partners Inc. Has $56.36 Million Stock Position in Cheniere Energy, Inc. $LNG

Epoch Investment Partners Inc. decreased its position in shares of Cheniere Energy, Inc. (NYSE:LNG) by 2.8% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 289,908 shares of the energy company’s stock after selling 8,460 shares during the period. Epoch Investment Partners Inc.’s holdings in Cheniere Energy were worth $56,355,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd bought a new position in shares of Cheniere Energy during the 3rd quarter valued at $27,000. Kohmann Bosshard Financial Services LLC bought a new position in shares of Cheniere Energy during the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Accordant Advisory Group Inc bought a new position in shares of Cheniere Energy during the 4th quarter valued at $29,000. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Cheniere Energy during the 4th quarter valued at $43,000. Finally, Lodestone Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Cheniere Energy during the 4th quarter valued at $46,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.26% of the company’s stock.

Cheniere Energy Stock Performance

NYSE:LNG opened at $240.85 on Monday. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $251.29 and its 200-day moving average is $231.40. Cheniere Energy, Inc. has a 52-week low of $186.20 and a 52-week high of $300.89. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.55, a quick ratio of 0.48 and a current ratio of 0.57. The company has a market cap of $50.47 billion and a price-to-earnings ratio of 39.61.

Cheniere Energy (NYSE:LNG) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 6th. The energy company reported ($16.65) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $4.25 by ($20.90). Cheniere Energy had a return on equity of 38.95% and a net margin of 7.23%.The company had revenue of $5.87 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.69 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.57 EPS. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 7.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts anticipate that Cheniere Energy, Inc. will post 14.93 earnings per share for the current year.

Cheniere Energy announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock repurchase plan on Thursday, February 26th that allows the company to buyback $10.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization allows the energy company to repurchase up to 21.1% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are generally an indication that the company’s board believes its shares are undervalued.

Cheniere Energy Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, May 19th. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 11th were issued a dividend of $0.555 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, May 11th. This represents a $2.22 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.9%. Cheniere Energy’s payout ratio is presently 36.51%.

Insider Activity

In other news, CFO Zach Davis sold 29,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $300.00, for a total transaction of $8,700,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 87,146 shares in the company, valued at approximately $26,143,800. The trade was a 24.97% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Sean N. Markowitz sold 22,246 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $290.98, for a total transaction of $6,473,141.08. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 64,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $18,622,720. The trade was a 25.79% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders own 0.55% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on LNG. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Cheniere Energy from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, June 10th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their price target on shares of Cheniere Energy from $286.00 to $300.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, April 14th. Morgan Stanley dropped their target price on shares of Cheniere Energy from $313.00 to $308.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 21st. Wolfe Research reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $300.00 target price on shares of Cheniere Energy in a report on Tuesday, June 2nd. Finally, Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Cheniere Energy from $259.00 to $271.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, February 27th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have given a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Cheniere Energy currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $298.63.

Cheniere Energy Company Profile

Cheniere Energy, Inc is a U.S.-based energy company that develops, owns and operates liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure and markets LNG to global customers. The company’s core activities include natural gas liquefaction, long‑term and short‑term LNG sales and marketing, and the associated midstream services required to move gas from production basins to international markets. Cheniere focuses on converting domestic natural gas into LNG for export, providing a bridge between North American supply and overseas demand.

Cheniere’s principal operating assets are large-scale LNG export terminals located on the U.S.