National CineMedia (NASDAQ:NCMI) Shares Up 7.6% - Still a Buy?

Shares of National CineMedia, Inc. (NASDAQ:NCMI - Get Free Report) rose 7.6% during trading on Friday . The stock traded as high as $6.67 and last traded at $6.74. Approximately 506,716 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 0% from the average daily volume of 506,602 shares. The stock had previously closed at $6.26.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

NCMI has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Benchmark reaffirmed a "buy" rating and set a $8.00 price target on shares of National CineMedia in a report on Monday, September 23rd. Wedbush restated 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. Barrington Research raised their target price on National CineMedia from $7.50 to $8.25 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, November 6th. Finally, StockNews.com raised National CineMedia from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Thursday, January 9th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $8.06.

National CineMedia Stock Performance

The company's 50 day moving average is $6.74 and its 200 day moving average is $6.47. The firm has a market cap of $645.46 million, a P/E ratio of -27.20 and a beta of 2.06. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03, a quick ratio of 2.46 and a current ratio of 2.46.

National CineMedia (NASDAQ:NCMI - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data 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). National CineMedia had a negative net margin of 9.49% and a negative return on equity of 2.61%. The firm had revenue of $62.40 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $58.20 million. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.33 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that National CineMedia, Inc. will post -0.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Maria Vg Woods sold 23,742 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $6.51, for a total value of $154,560.42. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 66,987 shares of the company's stock, valued at $436,085.37. The trade was a 26.17 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 0.33% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Intech Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of National CineMedia in the third quarter worth approximately $97,000. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company bought a new position in National CineMedia during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $124,000. Squarepoint Ops LLC lifted its position in shares of National CineMedia by 7.9% in the 2nd quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC now owns 42,835 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $188,000 after purchasing an additional 3,132 shares during the period. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of National CineMedia by 102.6% in the 2nd quarter. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. now owns 48,418 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $213,000 after purchasing an additional 24,521 shares during the period. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC boosted its stake in shares of National CineMedia by 141.2% in the 3rd quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 30,929 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $218,000 after purchasing an additional 18,108 shares during the last quarter. 69.49% of the stock is 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.

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