National Fuel Gas Co. (2.1%) (NFG)($71.40 - NYSE) is a diversified natural gas company. NFG owns a regulated gas utility serving the region around Buffalo, NY; gas pipelines that move gas between the Midwest and Canada and from the Marcellus to the Northeast; 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. NFG's ownership of 800,000 acres in the Marcellus shale, including 745,000 acres in the shale fairway of Pennsylvania, holds enormous natural gas reserve potential, and we believe the position could be worth $3.4 billion, based on recent comparable transactions. Despite the decline in natural gas prices leading to lower production levels, we continue to expect significant long-term earnings and cash flow growth from gas production, and we remain excited about the expansion or financial engineering potential of the strategically located pipeline network. The company has increased its dividend for over forty consecutive years.
From the Gabelli Value 25 Fund fourth quarter 2013 commentary.
