Empowered Funds LLC Has $440,000 Holdings in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE:NGVC)

Empowered Funds LLC lessened its position in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE:NGVC - Free Report) by 70.7% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 14,812 shares of the specialty retailer's stock after selling 35,696 shares during the period. Empowered Funds LLC owned approximately 0.06% of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage worth $440,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System bought a new stake in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage in the first quarter valued at approximately $216,000. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage by 0.5% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 636,658 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $11,492,000 after buying an additional 3,375 shares during the period. EntryPoint Capital LLC bought a new stake in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage in the first quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Quadrature Capital Ltd boosted its stake in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage by 45.1% in the first quarter. Quadrature Capital Ltd now owns 31,639 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $570,000 after buying an additional 9,838 shares during the period. Finally, Linden Thomas Advisory Services LLC boosted its stake in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage by 8.0% in the second quarter. Linden Thomas Advisory Services LLC now owns 40,628 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $861,000 after buying an additional 3,018 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 31.99% of the company's stock.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Price Performance

NYSE NGVC traded up $1.38 on Monday, hitting $46.98. 240,661 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 76,241. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $29.36 and a 200-day moving average of $25.34. 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 $47.32. The stock has a market cap of $1.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.74 and a beta of 1.23.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 18th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 2nd will be paid a dividend of $0.12 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 2nd. This is a boost from Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage's previous quarterly dividend of $0.10. This represents a $0.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.02%. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage's dividend payout ratio is presently 27.03%.

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 note on Friday.

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.