Dimensional Fund Advisors LP Boosts Stock Position in National CineMedia, Inc. (NASDAQ:NCMI)

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its holdings in National CineMedia, Inc. (NASDAQ:NCMI - Free Report) by 126.3% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 273,711 shares of the business services provider's stock after purchasing an additional 152,777 shares during the quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP owned about 0.29% of National CineMedia worth $1,817,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Rhumbline Advisers boosted its holdings in National CineMedia by 3.1% in the fourth quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 107,069 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $711,000 after purchasing an additional 3,219 shares during the period. SG Americas Securities LLC grew its holdings in National CineMedia by 39.7% during the fourth quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 43,210 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $287,000 after acquiring an additional 12,281 shares during the period. Renaissance Technologies LLC increased its stake in National CineMedia by 375.7% in the 4th quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 127,500 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $847,000 after purchasing an additional 100,700 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of National CineMedia by 1.0% during the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 728,915 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $4,840,000 after purchasing an additional 7,218 shares in the last quarter. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. boosted its stake in shares of National CineMedia by 18.6% during the 4th quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 132,663 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $881,000 after purchasing an additional 20,788 shares during the last quarter. 69.49% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Buying and Selling at National CineMedia

In other news, major shareholder Blantyre Capital Ltd bought 103,685 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 10th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $5.18 per share, for a total transaction of $537,088.30. Following the purchase, the insider now owns 10,310,433 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $53,408,042.94. This trade represents a 1.02% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Company insiders own 0.25% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have commented on the company. William Blair restated a "neutral" rating and set a $7.50 price target on shares of National CineMedia in a research note on Friday, March 7th. Benchmark reissued a "buy" rating and issued a $8.00 price objective on shares of National CineMedia in a report on Friday, March 7th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of National CineMedia from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a report on Thursday, May 8th. Wedbush restated an "outperform" rating and issued a $7.50 target price on shares of National CineMedia in a report on Thursday, May 1st. Finally, Barrington Research restated an "outperform" rating and issued a $7.00 price objective on shares of National CineMedia in a report on Friday, March 14th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $7.70.

National CineMedia Stock Down 3.2%

Shares of NCMI stock opened at $5.12 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03, a current ratio of 2.46 and a quick ratio of 2.46. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $5.72 and a 200 day moving average price of $6.41. The stock has a market cap of $482.84 million, a P/E ratio of -20.48 and a beta of 2.12. National CineMedia, Inc. has a one year low of $4.12 and a one year high of $7.60.

National CineMedia (NASDAQ:NCMI - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, May 6th. The business services provider reported ($0.24) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of ($0.20) by ($0.04). The business had revenue of $34.90 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $35.13 million. National CineMedia had a negative net margin of 9.49% and a negative return on equity of 2.61%. Analysts predict that National CineMedia, Inc. will post -0.12 earnings per share for the current year.

National CineMedia Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 16th will be paid a $0.03 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 16th. This represents a $0.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.34%. National CineMedia's payout ratio is -63.16%.

National CineMedia Profile

National CineMedia, Inc, through its subsidiary, National CineMedia, LLC, operates cinema advertising network in North America. It engages in the sale of advertising to national, regional, and local businesses in Noovie, a cinema advertising and entertainment show seen on movie screens; and sells advertising on its Lobby Entertainment Network, a series of strategically-placed screens located in movie theater lobbies, as well as other forms of advertising and promotions in theatre lobbies.

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