Navigator (NYSE:NVGS) Rating Increased to Buy at StockNews.com

Navigator (NYSE:NVGS - Get Free Report) was upgraded by analysts at StockNews.com from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note issued to investors on Friday.

NVGS has been the subject of a number of other research reports. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a "buy" rating and set a $20.00 price objective on shares of Navigator in a research report on Thursday. Alliance Global Partners started coverage on Navigator in a report on Monday, October 28th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $24.00 price objective on the stock. DNB Markets started coverage on Navigator in a report on Thursday, September 12th. They set a "buy" rating and a $22.00 target price for the company. Citigroup assumed coverage on shares of Navigator in a research note on Wednesday, July 31st. They set a "buy" rating and a $22.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Clarkson Capital raised shares of Navigator from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $20.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Thursday, August 22nd. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $21.60.

Navigator Trading Down 0.3 %

NYSE:NVGS traded down $0.04 on Friday, hitting $15.63. The stock had a trading volume of 154,111 shares, compared to its average volume of 186,561. The stock has a market cap of $1.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.83 and a beta of 1.50. The company has a quick ratio of 1.13, a current ratio of 1.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $15.97 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $16.32. Navigator has a 1-year low of $13.72 and a 1-year high of $18.18.

Navigator (NYSE:NVGS - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, August 14th. The shipping company reported $0.34 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.32 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $129.55 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $117.92 million. Navigator had a return on equity of 7.40% and a net margin of 14.48%. Equities research analysts expect that Navigator will post 1.38 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Navigator

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Point72 Asset Management L.P. purchased a new stake in shares of Navigator during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $38,000. Quarry LP purchased a new position in shares of Navigator during the second quarter worth about $48,000. Perkins Coie Trust Co acquired a new stake in shares of Navigator during the second quarter worth about $105,000. SG Americas Securities LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Navigator by 9.1% in the 3rd quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 8,221 shares of the shipping company's stock valued at $132,000 after purchasing an additional 684 shares during the last quarter. Finally, XTX Topco Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Navigator in the 2nd quarter valued at about $279,000. 18.95% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Navigator Company Profile

Navigator Holdings Ltd. engages in owning and operating a fleet of liquefied gas carriers worldwide. It provides international and regional seaborne transportation services of petrochemical gases, liquefied petroleum gases, and ammonia for energy companies, industrial users, and commodity traders. The company also offers ship shore infrastructure and consultancy services.

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