Dimensional Fund Advisors LP Sells 121,141 Shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE:NGVC)

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP cut its stake in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE:NGVC - Free Report) by 9.6% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,140,914 shares of the specialty retailer's stock after selling 121,141 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP owned approximately 4.98% of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage worth $45,317,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage during the fourth quarter worth about $27,000. Meeder Asset Management Inc. purchased a new stake in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage in the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. Human Investing LLC acquired a new position in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage in the 4th quarter valued at $40,000. Van ECK Associates Corp grew its position in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage by 33.3% during the fourth quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 2,301 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $91,000 after acquiring an additional 575 shares during the period. Finally, PFG Investments LLC purchased a new position in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $224,000. 31.99% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE NGVC traded up $10.53 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $56.40. 273,740 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 114,364. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $43.12 and its 200-day moving average price is $41.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28, a current ratio of 0.96 and a quick ratio of 0.15. The firm has a market cap of $1.29 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.92 and a beta of 1.62. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. has a twelve month low of $17.65 and a twelve month high of $58.35.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage (NYSE:NGVC - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, May 8th. The specialty retailer reported $0.56 earnings per share for the quarter. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage had a net margin of 2.84% and a return on equity of 21.12%. The firm had revenue of $335.77 million during the quarter. Equities research analysts anticipate that Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. will post 1.61 EPS for the current year.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, June 11th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, May 27th will be paid a $0.12 dividend. This represents a $0.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.85%. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage's payout ratio is 30.57%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, StockNews.com lowered Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, January 13th.

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.