Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE:NGVC) Short Interest Update

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE:NGVC - Get Free Report) was the target of a large drop in short interest in the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 132,800 shares, a drop of 25.0% from the November 30th total of 177,100 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 107,100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.2 days. Currently, 1.8% of the company's stock are sold short.

Insider Activity

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

Institutional Trading of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage

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

Analyst Ratings Changes

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

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Stock Performance

Shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage stock traded down $1.02 on Friday, reaching $39.28. 77,428 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 79,822. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage has a twelve month low of $14.31 and a twelve month high of $47.56. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $36.95 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $29.08. The company has a quick ratio of 0.18, a current ratio of 0.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36. The firm has a market capitalization of $899.75 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.54 and a beta of 1.40.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 18th. Investors of record on Monday, December 2nd were issued a dividend of $0.12 per share. This represents a $0.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.22%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 2nd. 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 (DPR) is 32.43%.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Company 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.