National Grid plc (NYSE:NGG) Receives Average Recommendation of "Buy" from Analysts

Shares of National Grid plc (NYSE:NGG - Get Free Report) have been given an average recommendation of "Buy" by the five brokerages that are covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Five analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating.

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on NGG shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft began coverage on shares of National Grid in a research report on Wednesday, October 2nd. They set a "buy" rating for the company. Citigroup raised National Grid from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday.

Institutional Trading of National Grid

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. SG Americas Securities LLC bought a new stake in shares of National Grid during the fourth quarter worth $166,000. Genesis Private Wealth LLC bought a new stake in National Grid during the 4th quarter valued at about $228,000. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. boosted its position in National Grid by 13.2% in the 4th quarter. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. now owns 119,170 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $7,081,000 after buying an additional 13,864 shares during the period. Mitchell & Pahl Private Wealth LLC grew its stake in National Grid by 7.9% in the 4th quarter. Mitchell & Pahl Private Wealth LLC now owns 11,733 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $697,000 after acquiring an additional 859 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ballentine Partners LLC increased its position in shares of National Grid by 19.2% during the fourth quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC now owns 6,547 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $389,000 after acquiring an additional 1,054 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 4.68% of the company's stock.

National Grid Trading Up 3.5 %

Shares of NGG traded up $2.07 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $61.60. The stock had a trading volume of 2,219,017 shares, compared to its average volume of 924,118. National Grid has a 12 month low of $55.13 and a 12 month high of $73.40. The business has a fifty day moving average of $60.38 and a 200 day moving average of $63.76. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.18, a quick ratio of 1.54 and a current ratio of 1.61.

National Grid Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, January 14th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 22nd were issued a $2.4939 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 22nd. This represents a dividend yield of 4%.

National Grid Company Profile

National Grid plc transmits and distributes electricity and gas. It operates through UK Electricity Transmission, UK Electricity Distribution, UK Electricity System Operator, New England, New York, National Grid Ventures, and Other segments. The UK Electricity Transmission segment provides electricity transmission and construction work services in England and Wales.