Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage (NYSE:NGVC) Stock Price Up 5.1% - What's Next?

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE:NGVC - Get Free Report)'s share price rose 5.1% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $43.97 and last traded at $44.17. Approximately 43,050 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 53% from the average daily volume of 91,249 shares. The stock had previously closed at $42.04.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

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

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Trading Up 4.8 %

The company has a current ratio of 0.90, a quick ratio of 0.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $41.46 and a two-hundred day moving average of $32.11. The company has a market capitalization of $1.01 billion, a PE ratio of 29.78 and a beta of 1.44.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage (NYSE:NGVC - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 21st. The specialty retailer reported $0.39 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage had a return on equity of 20.70% and a net margin of 2.73%. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. will post 1.56 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 18th. Investors of record on Monday, December 2nd were issued a $0.12 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 2nd. This represents a $0.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.09%. This is a boost from Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage's previous quarterly dividend of $0.10. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage's payout ratio is 32.43%.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Charity Isely sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $43.73, for a total transaction of $87,460.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 12,290 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $537,441.70. This represents a 14.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, insider Lark Isely sold 4,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $44.66, for a total transaction of $178,640.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 8,682 shares of the company's stock, valued at $387,738.12. This trade represents a 31.54 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 59.40% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in NGVC. Golden State Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage in the fourth quarter worth $27,000. Virtus Investment Advisers Inc. purchased a new position in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage in the 3rd quarter worth about $126,000. CreativeOne Wealth LLC bought a new position in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage during the 3rd quarter valued at about $202,000. Hancock Whitney Corp purchased a new stake in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage during the 3rd quarter valued at about $214,000. Finally, PFG Investments LLC bought a new stake in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage in the fourth quarter worth approximately $224,000. 31.99% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage

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.

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