Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage (NYSE:NGVC) Trading Up 5.3% – Here’s What Happened

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE:NGVC)’s stock price shot up 5.3% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $42.79 and last traded at $42.47. 19,527 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 78% from the average session volume of 87,551 shares. The stock had previously closed at $40.33.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, StockNews.com lowered 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 2.3 %

The stock has a market capitalization of $946.44 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.89 and a beta of 1.44. 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 company has a fifty day moving average of $40.51 and a two-hundred day moving average of $31.32.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 18th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 2nd were given a dividend of $0.12 per share. This is a positive change from Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.10. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 2nd. This represents a $0.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.16%. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage’s payout ratio is currently 32.43%.

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Charity Isely sold 2,000 shares of the firm’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 transaction, the insider now owns 12,290 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $537,441.70. This trade represents a 14.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, insider Lark Isely sold 4,000 shares of the 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 directly owns 8,682 shares in the company, valued at $387,738.12. The trade was a 31.54 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 59.40% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Virtus Investment Advisers Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage in the third quarter valued at approximately $126,000. CreativeOne Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage during the third quarter worth approximately $202,000. Hancock Whitney Corp bought a new stake in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage in the 3rd quarter valued at $214,000. Privium Fund Management B.V. acquired a new stake in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage in the third quarter valued at approximately $326,000. Finally, Segall Bryant & Hamill LLC acquired a new position in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage in the 3rd quarter valued at $361,000. 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.