Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage (NYSE:NGVC) Trading Down 4.1% - Should You Sell?

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE:NGVC - Get Free Report)'s stock price fell 4.1% during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as $39.64 and last traded at $39.77. 23,125 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 64% from the average session volume of 63,628 shares. The stock had previously closed at $41.45.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

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

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Price Performance

The firm has a fifty day moving average of $38.61 and a two-hundred day moving average of $30.03. The stock has a market capitalization of $944.64 million, a P/E ratio of 27.86 and a beta of 1.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a current ratio of 0.96 and a quick ratio of 0.18.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 18th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 2nd were given a $0.12 dividend. This represents a $0.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.16%. 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 is presently 32.43%.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Charity Isely sold 2,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $43.73, for a total transaction of $87,460.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 12,290 shares in the company, valued at $537,441.70. This represents a 14.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, insider Lark Isely sold 4,000 shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $44.66, for a total value of $178,640.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 8,682 shares in the company, 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.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Segall Bryant & Hamill LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage during the third quarter worth about $361,000. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage by 11.4% in the 3rd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 219,301 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $6,513,000 after purchasing an additional 22,413 shares in the last quarter. Lord Abbett & CO. LLC increased its stake in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage by 64.7% during the 3rd quarter. Lord Abbett & CO. LLC now owns 449,007 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $13,331,000 after purchasing an additional 176,361 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp increased its stake in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage by 1.0% during the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 193,350 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $5,741,000 after purchasing an additional 1,983 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage in the third quarter worth $430,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 31.99% of the company's stock.

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.