National CineMedia (NASDAQ:NCMI) Shares Pass Above 200-Day Moving Average - Here's Why

National CineMedia, Inc. (NASDAQ:NCMI - Get Free Report) shares crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $6.27 and traded as high as $6.61. National CineMedia shares last traded at $6.48, with a volume of 389,140 shares trading hands.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have recently commented on NCMI shares. StockNews.com upgraded shares of National CineMedia from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, December 6th. Wedbush reiterated a "neutral" rating and set a $7.50 target price (up from $6.00) on shares of National CineMedia in a research note on Monday, November 4th. Benchmark restated a "buy" rating and issued a $8.00 price target on shares of National CineMedia in a research note on Monday, September 23rd. Finally, Barrington Research upped their price objective on National CineMedia from $7.50 to $8.25 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $8.06.

National CineMedia Stock Up 4.0 %

The company's 50 day moving average price is $6.94 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $6.28. The company has a current ratio of 2.46, a quick ratio of 2.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03. The firm has a market cap of $639.73 million, a PE ratio of -26.96 and a beta of 2.07.

National CineMedia (NASDAQ:NCMI - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, November 5th. The business services provider reported ($0.04) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.03) by ($0.01). The company had revenue of $62.40 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $58.20 million. National CineMedia had a negative net margin of 9.49% and a negative return on equity of 2.61%. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.33 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts expect that National CineMedia, Inc. will post -0.14 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On National CineMedia

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. SG Americas Securities LLC bought a new position in shares of National CineMedia in the second quarter worth approximately $56,000. Intech Investment Management LLC bought a new position in National CineMedia in the 3rd quarter worth $97,000. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company purchased a new stake in National CineMedia in the 2nd quarter worth $124,000. Hill Investment Group Partners LLC raised its holdings in National CineMedia by 100.9% during the second quarter. Hill Investment Group Partners LLC now owns 34,392 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $151,000 after acquiring an additional 17,276 shares during the period. Finally, Squarepoint Ops LLC raised its holdings in National CineMedia by 7.9% during the second quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC now owns 42,835 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $188,000 after acquiring an additional 3,132 shares during the period. 69.49% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.