National CineMedia (NASDAQ:NCMI) Given "Buy" Rating at Benchmark

National CineMedia (NASDAQ:NCMI - Get Free Report)'s stock had its "buy" rating reaffirmed by stock analysts at Benchmark in a research note issued to investors on Friday,Benzinga reports. They presently have a $8.00 price objective on the business services provider's stock. Benchmark's price objective suggests a potential upside of 49.53% from the stock's previous close.

A number of other research firms also recently commented on NCMI. StockNews.com downgraded National CineMedia from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research note on Monday, March 3rd. Wedbush reiterated a "neutral" rating and issued a $7.50 price target on shares of National CineMedia in a report on Wednesday, March 5th. Finally, Barrington Research reduced their price objective on National CineMedia from $8.25 to $7.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $7.70.

National CineMedia Stock Down 0.7 %

Shares of National CineMedia stock traded down $0.04 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $5.35. 968,943 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 638,622. The company has a market cap of $507.80 million, a PE ratio of -21.40 and a beta of 2.19. National CineMedia has a twelve month low of $3.71 and a twelve month high of $7.60. The company has a quick ratio of 2.46, a current ratio of 2.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $6.59 and a 200-day simple moving average of $6.78.

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National CineMedia (NASDAQ:NCMI - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, March 6th. The business services provider reported $0.26 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.20 by $0.06. National CineMedia had a negative return on equity of 2.61% and a negative net margin of 9.49%. The company had revenue of $86.30 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $84.77 million. Equities research analysts anticipate that National CineMedia will post -0.12 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at National CineMedia

In related news, EVP Maria Vg Woods sold 23,742 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $6.51, for a total value of $154,560.42. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 66,987 shares of the company's stock, valued at $436,085.37. This represents a 26.17 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 0.25% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On National CineMedia

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Summit Securities Group LLC bought a new position in National CineMedia during the fourth quarter valued at about $53,000. BNP Paribas Financial Markets bought a new stake in shares of National CineMedia in the 4th quarter worth approximately $57,000. DRW Securities LLC acquired a new stake in National CineMedia during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $73,000. Quarry LP acquired a new stake in National CineMedia during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $91,000. Finally, Ieq Capital LLC acquired a new position in National CineMedia in the fourth quarter worth approximately $93,000. 69.49% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

National CineMedia Company Profile

National CineMedia, Inc, through its subsidiary, National CineMedia, LLC, operates cinema advertising network in North America. It engages in the sale of advertising to national, regional, and local businesses in Noovie, a cinema advertising and entertainment show seen on movie screens; and sells advertising on its Lobby Entertainment Network, a series of strategically-placed screens located in movie theater lobbies, as well as other forms of advertising and promotions in theatre lobbies.