NetScout Systems (NASDAQ:NTCT) Stock Price Down 0.3% - Should You Sell?

NetScout Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:NTCT - Get Free Report) was down 0.3% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $21.32 and last traded at $21.70. Approximately 20,537 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 96% from the average daily volume of 501,467 shares. The stock had previously closed at $21.77.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have commented on NTCT. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price objective on NetScout Systems from $22.00 to $25.00 and gave the company a "sector perform" rating in a research report on Friday, January 31st. StockNews.com upgraded NetScout Systems from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, December 10th.

NetScout Systems Trading Down 2.4 %

The business's 50-day moving average price is $22.69 and its 200 day moving average price is $21.94. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -3.62 and a beta of 0.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05, a current ratio of 1.81 and a quick ratio of 1.78.

NetScout Systems (NASDAQ:NTCT - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The technology company reported $0.78 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.74 by $0.04. NetScout Systems had a negative net margin of 50.90% and a positive return on equity of 6.76%. On average, equities analysts forecast that NetScout Systems, Inc. will post 1.5 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity at NetScout Systems

In related news, COO Michael Szabados sold 6,500 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $23.47, for a total value of $152,555.00. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 35,989 shares of the company's stock, valued at $844,661.83. This represents a 15.30 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP John Downing sold 3,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $24.25, for a total transaction of $72,750.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 130,352 shares in the company, valued at $3,161,036. This trade represents a 2.25 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 21,499 shares of company stock valued at $512,321. Insiders own 3.71% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of NetScout Systems

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Intech Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of NetScout Systems in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $456,000. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its stake in NetScout Systems by 10.2% during the third quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,165,443 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $25,348,000 after purchasing an additional 108,258 shares during the last quarter. Citigroup Inc. raised its holdings in shares of NetScout Systems by 28.4% during the third quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 163,272 shares of the technology company's stock worth $3,551,000 after purchasing an additional 36,075 shares during the period. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company lifted its position in shares of NetScout Systems by 5.7% in the 3rd quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 36,726 shares of the technology company's stock worth $799,000 after buying an additional 1,995 shares during the last quarter. Finally, FMR LLC boosted its holdings in shares of NetScout Systems by 32.1% in the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 1,964 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $43,000 after buying an additional 477 shares during the period. 91.64% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

NetScout Systems Company Profile

NetScout Systems, Inc provides service assurance and cybersecurity solutions for protect digital business services against disruptions in the United States, Europe, Asia, and internationally. The company offers nGeniusONE management software that enables customers to predict, preempt, and resolve network and service delivery problems, as well as facilitate the optimization and capacity planning of their network infrastructures; and specialized platforms and analytic modules that enable its customers to analyze and troubleshoot traffic in radio access and Wi-Fi networks.