National Fuel Gas Company Acquires $2.5 Billion Utility Business, Expanding Customer Base to 1.1 Million
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 20 2026
0mins
Source: CNBC
- Acquisition Strategy: National Fuel Gas Company is acquiring CenterPoint Energy's Ohio natural gas utility business for $2.5 billion, expected to expand its customer base to approximately 1.1 million, significantly enhancing its competitive position in New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio markets.
- Financial Performance: For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025, adjusted earnings per share reached $1.22, a 58% increase year-over-year, with total revenue of $2.28 billion, up 17%, demonstrating the company's strong profitability and growth potential.
- Dividend Stability: National Fuel has increased its dividend for 55 consecutive years, with a current quarterly dividend of 53.5 cents per share yielding approximately 2.6% annually, indicating a sustainable dividend policy supported by stable cash flows and future growth potential.
- Pipeline Expansion Projects: The company is advancing several pipeline expansion projects, including the Shippingport Lateral, which is expected to generate approximately $15 million in annual revenue, further solidifying its position in emerging markets.
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Analyst Views on NFG
Wall Street analysts forecast NFG stock price to rise
4 Analyst Rating
1 Buy
3 Hold
0 Sell
Hold
Current: 76.940
Low
95.00
Averages
98.33
High
101.00
Current: 76.940
Low
95.00
Averages
98.33
High
101.00
About NFG
National Fuel Gas Company is a diversified, integrated energy company with a complementary mix of natural gas assets. It is engaged in the production, gathering, transportation, storage and distribution of natural gas. Its segments include Exploration and Production, Pipeline and Storage, Gathering, and Utility. The Exploration and Production segment is engaged in the exploration for, and the development and production of, primarily natural gas in the Appalachian region of the United States. The Pipeline and Storage segment provides interstate natural gas transportation services for affiliated and nonaffiliated companies through integrated natural gas pipeline systems in Pennsylvania and New York. The Gathering segment builds, owns, and operates gathering facilities in the Appalachian region. The Utility segment provides natural gas utility services to approximately 755,000 customers through a local distribution system located in western New York and northwestern Pennsylvania.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
National Fuel Gas Company Set to Announce Dividend Increase
- Consecutive Dividend Growth: National Fuel Gas Company is expected to announce a dividend increase in June, continuing its impressive 54-year streak of consecutive dividend growth, demonstrating the company's commitment to shareholder returns.
- Dividend Expectations: Analysts anticipate an annual dividend of $2.17 per share, translating to a quarterly dividend of approximately $0.5425, which represents a nearly 1.4% increase from the previous payout of $0.5350, thereby boosting investor confidence.
- Dividend Growth Rate: The company has achieved a five-year dividend growth rate of approximately 3.75% while maintaining an annual payout ratio of 28.05%, indicating robust performance in profitability and cash flow management.
- Ratings and Safety: National Fuel Gas Company holds a C rating for dividend safety, a B+ for dividend growth, a D for dividend yield, and an A+ for dividend consistency, reflecting its overall performance in shareholder returns.
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National Fuel Gas Company Q2 Fiscal 2026 Earnings Highlights
- Earnings Growth: National Fuel reported adjusted earnings per share of $2.71 for Q2, reflecting a 13% year-over-year increase, which underscores the company's strong performance in the natural gas market and boosts investor confidence.
- Expansion Project: The company executed a new Line N system upgrade project expected to add 94,000 dekatherms of transportation capacity with a capital cost of $93 million, slated for service by late 2028, further solidifying its market position.
- Free Cash Flow: The company generated approximately $160 million in free cash flow during the second quarter, indicating robust cash generation capabilities that support future investments and shareholder returns.
- Production Outlook Adjustment: National Fuel now projects full-year production to be between 425 and 440 Bcfe, while lowering its NYMEX price assumption to $3 per MMBtu, reflecting a cautious stance amid market volatility.
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National Fuel Gas Company Reports Strong Q2 2026 Earnings Growth
- Significant Earnings Growth: National Fuel Gas Company reported GAAP earnings of $247.7 million for Q2 2026, translating to an EPS of $2.59, which is an increase from $216.4 million and $2.37 per share in the prior year, indicating enhanced profitability amid rising natural gas prices.
- Adjusted EPS Increase: The adjusted EPS rose to $2.71, reflecting a 13% year-over-year growth driven by a 17% increase in natural gas price realizations to $3.45 per Mcf, showcasing strong performance in the upstream and gathering segments.
- Substantial Free Cash Flow Increase: The company generated $160 million in free cash flow year-to-date through Q2, an increase of $111 million from the previous year, indicating robust cash generation from operating activities that enhances its capacity for capital expenditures and investments.
- Expansion Projects on Track: Construction has commenced on the Tioga Pathway and Shippingport Lateral expansion projects, expected to be in service by late 2026, while a precedent agreement for the new Line N System Upgrade Project further boosts future capacity and market competitiveness.
See More
National Fuel Gas Q2 Earnings Report Analysis
- Earnings Performance: National Fuel Gas reported a Q2 non-GAAP EPS of $2.71, missing expectations by $0.13, indicating pressure on profitability that may affect investor confidence.
- Revenue Growth: The company achieved revenues of $858.37 million, a 17.6% year-over-year increase, surpassing expectations by $1.8 million, demonstrating robust sales performance amid strong market demand.
- Guidance Revision: The company revised its fiscal 2026 adjusted EPS guidance to a range of $7.45 to $7.75 per share, with a midpoint of $7.60, reflecting a cautious outlook on future profitability that could influence market expectations.
- Market Positioning: National Fuel Gas was upgraded to “Overweight” by KeyBanc, indicating a favorable market position as an integrated gas firm, suggesting that despite current earnings challenges, the long-term outlook remains positive.
See More
National Fuel Gas Set to Announce Q2 Earnings on April 29
- Earnings Announcement: National Fuel Gas (NFG) is set to release its Q2 earnings on April 29 after market close, with consensus EPS estimated at $2.84, reflecting a substantial 71.1% year-over-year increase, which could positively impact the stock price due to improved profitability.
- Strong Revenue Expectations: The revenue forecast stands at $856.57 million, representing a 55.9% year-over-year growth, indicating the company's competitive strength and successful business expansion, likely attracting more investor interest.
- Historical Performance: Over the past two years, NFG has beaten EPS estimates 88% of the time, although it has only surpassed revenue estimates 13% of the time, showcasing stability in profitability that enhances market confidence in its future performance.
- Upward Revision Trend: In the last three months, both EPS and revenue estimates have seen four upward revisions with no downward adjustments, reflecting analysts' optimistic outlook on NFG's future performance, which may further drive stock price increases.
See More
National Fuel Gas Company Set to Announce Dividend Increase
- Consecutive Dividend Growth: National Fuel Gas Company is expected to announce a dividend increase in June, continuing its impressive 54-year streak of consecutive dividend growth, demonstrating the company's commitment to shareholder returns.
- Dividend Expectations: Analysts anticipate an annual dividend of $2.17 per share, translating to a quarterly dividend of approximately $0.5425, which represents a nearly 1.4% increase from the previous payout of $0.5350, thereby boosting investor confidence.
- Dividend Growth Rate: The company has achieved a five-year dividend growth rate of approximately 3.75% while maintaining an annual payout ratio of 28.05%, indicating robust performance in profitability and cash flow management.
- Ratings and Safety: National Fuel Gas Company holds a C rating for dividend safety, a B+ for dividend growth, a D for dividend yield, and an A+ for dividend consistency, reflecting its overall performance in shareholder returns.
See More
TRUMP: POSITIVE DISCUSSIONS ON IRAN OVER THE PAST DAY
- Trump's Recent Talks: Donald Trump has engaged in discussions regarding Iran over the past 24 hours.
- Focus on Iran: The conversations have been characterized as very positive, indicating a potential shift in diplomatic relations.
See More
National Fuel Gas Company Q2 Fiscal 2026 Earnings Highlights
- Earnings Growth: National Fuel reported adjusted earnings per share of $2.71 for Q2, reflecting a 13% year-over-year increase, which underscores the company's strong performance in the natural gas market and boosts investor confidence.
- Expansion Project: The company executed a new Line N system upgrade project expected to add 94,000 dekatherms of transportation capacity with a capital cost of $93 million, slated for service by late 2028, further solidifying its market position.
- Free Cash Flow: The company generated approximately $160 million in free cash flow during the second quarter, indicating robust cash generation capabilities that support future investments and shareholder returns.
- Production Outlook Adjustment: National Fuel now projects full-year production to be between 425 and 440 Bcfe, while lowering its NYMEX price assumption to $3 per MMBtu, reflecting a cautious stance amid market volatility.
See More
National Fuel Gas Company Reports Strong Q2 2026 Earnings Growth
- Significant Earnings Growth: National Fuel Gas Company reported GAAP earnings of $247.7 million for Q2 2026, translating to an EPS of $2.59, which is an increase from $216.4 million and $2.37 per share in the prior year, indicating enhanced profitability amid rising natural gas prices.
- Adjusted EPS Increase: The adjusted EPS rose to $2.71, reflecting a 13% year-over-year growth driven by a 17% increase in natural gas price realizations to $3.45 per Mcf, showcasing strong performance in the upstream and gathering segments.
- Substantial Free Cash Flow Increase: The company generated $160 million in free cash flow year-to-date through Q2, an increase of $111 million from the previous year, indicating robust cash generation from operating activities that enhances its capacity for capital expenditures and investments.
- Expansion Projects on Track: Construction has commenced on the Tioga Pathway and Shippingport Lateral expansion projects, expected to be in service by late 2026, while a precedent agreement for the new Line N System Upgrade Project further boosts future capacity and market competitiveness.
See More
National Fuel Gas Q2 Earnings Report Analysis
- Earnings Performance: National Fuel Gas reported a Q2 non-GAAP EPS of $2.71, missing expectations by $0.13, indicating pressure on profitability that may affect investor confidence.
- Revenue Growth: The company achieved revenues of $858.37 million, a 17.6% year-over-year increase, surpassing expectations by $1.8 million, demonstrating robust sales performance amid strong market demand.
- Guidance Revision: The company revised its fiscal 2026 adjusted EPS guidance to a range of $7.45 to $7.75 per share, with a midpoint of $7.60, reflecting a cautious outlook on future profitability that could influence market expectations.
- Market Positioning: National Fuel Gas was upgraded to “Overweight” by KeyBanc, indicating a favorable market position as an integrated gas firm, suggesting that despite current earnings challenges, the long-term outlook remains positive.
See More
National Fuel Gas Set to Announce Q2 Earnings on April 29
- Earnings Announcement: National Fuel Gas (NFG) is set to release its Q2 earnings on April 29 after market close, with consensus EPS estimated at $2.84, reflecting a substantial 71.1% year-over-year increase, which could positively impact the stock price due to improved profitability.
- Strong Revenue Expectations: The revenue forecast stands at $856.57 million, representing a 55.9% year-over-year growth, indicating the company's competitive strength and successful business expansion, likely attracting more investor interest.
- Historical Performance: Over the past two years, NFG has beaten EPS estimates 88% of the time, although it has only surpassed revenue estimates 13% of the time, showcasing stability in profitability that enhances market confidence in its future performance.
- Upward Revision Trend: In the last three months, both EPS and revenue estimates have seen four upward revisions with no downward adjustments, reflecting analysts' optimistic outlook on NFG's future performance, which may further drive stock price increases.
See More
