Geode Capital Management LLC Boosts Position in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE:NGVC)

Geode Capital Management LLC raised its stake in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE:NGVC - Free Report) by 11.4% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 219,301 shares of the specialty retailer's stock after acquiring an additional 22,413 shares during the quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC owned approximately 0.96% of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage worth $6,513,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of NGVC. Virtus Investment Advisers Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage during the 3rd quarter worth about $126,000. CreativeOne Wealth LLC purchased a new position in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage during the third quarter worth approximately $202,000. Hancock Whitney Corp acquired a new stake in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage in the third quarter valued at approximately $214,000. Privium Fund Management B.V. acquired a new stake in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage in the third quarter valued at approximately $326,000. Finally, Inspire Investing LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage in the second quarter valued at approximately $353,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 31.99% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Lark Isely sold 4,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $44.66, for a total transaction of $178,640.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 8,682 shares in the company, valued at approximately $387,738.12. The trade was a 31.54 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Charity Isely sold 2,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $43.73, for a total transaction of $87,460.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 12,290 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $537,441.70. This represents a 14.00 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 59.40% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, StockNews.com upgraded Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Friday, November 22nd.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Price Performance

NGVC traded up $0.18 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $41.45. 84,329 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 88,415. The company has a market capitalization of $949.45 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.01 and a beta of 1.44. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $38.32 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $29.82. The company has a current ratio of 0.96, a quick ratio of 0.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. has a 52-week low of $14.31 and a 52-week high of $47.56.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 18th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 2nd were issued a dividend of $0.12 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 2nd. This represents a $0.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.16%. This is a boost from Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage's previous quarterly dividend of $0.10. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage's dividend payout ratio is presently 32.43%.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Profile

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, retails natural and organic groceries, and dietary supplements in the United States. The company's stores offer natural and organic grocery products, such as organic produce; private label repackaged bulk products, including dried fruits, nuts, grains, granolas, teas, herbs, and spices, as well as peanut and almond butters; private label products comprising grocery staples, household products, bulk foods, and vitamins and dietary supplements, as well as organic eggs, organic flavored coffee, and organic mustard; dry, frozen, and canned groceries; meat and seafood products; dairy products, dairy substitutes, and eggs; prepared foods; bread and baked products; beverages; and beer, wine, and hard cider products.