National Fuel Gas Co. (2.7%)(NFG – $56.64 –NYSE)(NYSE:NFG) is a diversified natural gas company. NFG owns a regulated gas utility serving the region around Buffalo, New York, gas pipelines that move gas between the Midwest and Canada and from the Marcellus to the Northeast, gathering and processing systems, and an oil and gas exploration and production business. NFG’s regulated utility and pipeline businesses, as well as its California oil production business, provide stable earnings and cash flows to support the dividend, while the natural gas production business offers significant upside potential. While natural gas prices have been depressed over the past few years, NFG’s ownership of 800,000 net acres in Pennsylvania, including 780,000 acres in the Marcellus Shale, holds enormous natural gas reserve potential and the company has proven to be among the lower cost producers. We continue to expect above average long term earnings and cash flow growth from improving gas prices, growing gas production and strategically located pipeline expansion. The company has increased its dividend for 46 consecutive years. In addition, NFG is considering corporate restructuring alternatives, including an MLP of its midstream assets.
From the Gabelli Value 25 Fund first quarter 2017 shareholder letter.
