Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage (NYSE:NGVC) Stock Price Down 7.5% - Here's Why

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE:NGVC - Get Free Report)'s share price fell 7.5% during mid-day trading on Friday . The stock traded as low as $44.43 and last traded at $43.87. 43,287 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 69% from the average session volume of 139,607 shares. The stock had previously closed at $47.43.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, StockNews.com downgraded Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, January 13th.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Trading Up 1.3 %

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28, a current ratio of 0.96 and a quick ratio of 0.15. The business's 50-day moving average price is $42.70 and its 200 day moving average price is $35.08. The firm has a market capitalization of $964.02 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.78 and a beta of 1.43.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage (NYSE:NGVC - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The specialty retailer reported $0.43 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage had a return on equity of 21.12% and a net margin of 2.84%. On average, equities analysts forecast that Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. will post 1.61 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 19th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 3rd will be paid a $0.12 dividend. This represents a $0.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.14%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 3rd. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage's dividend payout ratio is presently 30.57%.

Insider Activity

In other Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage news, insider Charity Isely sold 2,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $43.73, for a total value of $87,460.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 12,290 shares in the company, valued at approximately $537,441.70. The trade was a 14.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, insider Lark Isely sold 4,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $44.66, for a total transaction of $178,640.00. Following the completion of 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 ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 58.80% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. increased its holdings in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage by 4.4% in the fourth quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 5,366 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $213,000 after buying an additional 228 shares during the last quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp grew its position in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage by 33.3% in the fourth quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 2,301 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $91,000 after acquiring an additional 575 shares in the last quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage during the 4th quarter worth $27,000. Empowered Funds LLC raised its holdings in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage by 4.6% during the 4th quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 15,487 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $615,000 after purchasing an additional 675 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Meeder Asset Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage during the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. 31.99% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.