National Fuel Gas rises after unveiling upstream business spin-off plan
** Shares of natural gas utility and pipeline firm National Fuel Gas NFG.N rise 1.1% to $81.99 premarket
** Co. announces plans to spin off its Integrated Upstream and Gathering (IUG) business into a separate public company
** NFG shareholders to own stakes in both companies
** Expects to complete transaction by second half of 2027, through a tax-free distribution of at least 80.1% of IUG shares to NFG shareholders
** NFG plans to retain up to 19.9% stake in IUG after the separation
** As of last close, NFG stock was up 1.29% YTD