Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage (NYSE:NGVC) Stock Price Down 5.6% – Time to Sell?

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE:NGVC)’s stock price was down 5.6% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as low as $40.01 and last traded at $39.48. Approximately 41,415 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 73% from the average daily volume of 152,502 shares. The stock had previously closed at $41.80.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, StockNews.com lowered shares of 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 Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28, a quick ratio of 0.15 and a current ratio of 0.96. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $43.20 and its two-hundred day moving average is $35.92. The stock has a market cap of $912.54 million, a PE ratio of 25.35 and a beta of 1.43.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage (NYSE:NGVC) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The specialty retailer reported $0.43 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage had a net margin of 2.84% and a return on equity of 21.12%. On average, equities analysts predict that Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. will post 1.61 earnings per share for the current year.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 19th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 3rd will be given a dividend of $0.12 per share. This represents a $0.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.21%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 3rd. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage’s dividend payout ratio is currently 30.57%.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Charity Isely sold 2,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 in the company, valued at approximately $537,441.70. This represents a 14.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 58.80% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in NGVC. Golden State Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage during the 4th quarter worth $27,000. Meeder Asset Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage in the fourth quarter valued at $28,000. Human Investing LLC purchased a new stake in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage during the 4th quarter worth about $40,000. Van ECK Associates Corp boosted its position in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage by 33.3% during the 4th quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 2,301 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $91,000 after acquiring an additional 575 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Virtus Investment Advisers Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage in the 3rd quarter valued at about $126,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 31.99% of the company’s stock.

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.