MQS Management LLC Invests $530,000 in Cheniere Energy, Inc. $LNG

MQS Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Cheniere Energy, Inc. (NYSE:LNG) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 2,728 shares of the energy company’s stock, valued at approximately $530,000.

Several other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Legato Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Cheniere Energy during the fourth quarter worth $636,000. Van Hulzen Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Cheniere Energy by 4.1% during the fourth quarter. Van Hulzen Asset Management LLC now owns 12,663 shares of the energy company’s stock worth $2,461,000 after purchasing an additional 504 shares during the last quarter. Plan A Wealth LLC grew its holdings in shares of Cheniere Energy by 4.5% during the fourth quarter. Plan A Wealth LLC now owns 1,779 shares of the energy company’s stock worth $346,000 after purchasing an additional 77 shares during the last quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC grew its holdings in shares of Cheniere Energy by 16.9% during the fourth quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 15,265 shares of the energy company’s stock worth $2,967,000 after purchasing an additional 2,203 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Twin Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Cheniere Energy during the fourth quarter worth $823,000. Institutional investors own 87.26% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity

In other Cheniere Energy news, CFO Zach Davis sold 29,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $300.00, for a total value of $8,700,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 87,146 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $26,143,800. This represents a 24.97% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Sean N. Markowitz sold 22,246 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $290.98, for a total value of $6,473,141.08. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 64,000 shares in the company, valued at $18,622,720. The trade was a 25.79% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Corporate insiders own 0.55% of the company’s stock.

Cheniere Energy Price Performance

Cheniere Energy stock opened at $240.59 on Friday. The business’s 50-day simple moving average is $263.41 and its 200 day simple moving average is $228.55. The stock has a market cap of $50.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 39.57 and a beta of 0.07. Cheniere Energy, Inc. has a 12-month low of $186.20 and a 12-month high of $300.89. The company has a quick ratio of 0.48, a current ratio of 0.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.55.

Cheniere Energy (NYSE:LNG) last posted its quarterly earnings results 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 net margin of 7.23% and a return on equity of 38.95%. The firm had revenue of $5.87 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.69 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.57 EPS. Cheniere Energy’s revenue was up 7.8% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Cheniere Energy, Inc. will post 15.2 earnings per share for the current year.

Cheniere Energy declared that its board has authorized a stock repurchase plan on Thursday, February 26th that authorizes the company to repurchase $10.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the energy company to buy up to 21.1% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are usually a sign that the company’s management believes its stock is undervalued.

Cheniere Energy Dividend Announcement

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

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. Zacks Research upgraded Cheniere Energy from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, May 12th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on Cheniere Energy from $313.00 to $308.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 21st. Citigroup raised their price target on Cheniere Energy from $280.00 to $330.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, April 2nd. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price target on Cheniere Energy from $276.00 to $312.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, March 24th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets raised their price target on Cheniere Energy from $265.00 to $306.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday, March 23rd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have given a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $293.50.

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.