American Century Companies Inc. Grows Stock Holdings in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. $NGVC

Key Points

• American Century Companies Inc. increased its stake in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage by 5.0%, holding 466,810 shares valued at approximately $18.77 million as of the latest reporting period.
• Despite an increase in holdings by institutional investors, Wall Street analysts have downgraded Natural Grocers from a "strong-buy" to a "buy" rating.
• Natural Grocers recently announced a quarterly dividend of $0.12 per share, reflecting a yield of 1.2% and a payout ratio of 25.53%.

American Century Companies Inc. raised its stake in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE:NGVC - Free Report) by 5.0% during the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 466,810 shares of the specialty retailer's stock after buying an additional 22,214 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. owned 2.04% of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage worth $18,766,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in NGVC. Victory Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage in the first quarter valued at approximately $14,006,000. Millennium Management LLC boosted its position in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage by 1,190.6% in the fourth quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 162,130 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $6,440,000 after buying an additional 149,568 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP acquired a new stake in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $5,444,000. Lord Abbett & CO. LLC boosted its position in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage by 24.1% in the first quarter. Lord Abbett & CO. LLC now owns 497,268 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $19,990,000 after buying an additional 96,678 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage by 9.8% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 757,084 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $30,435,000 after buying an additional 67,793 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 31.99% of the company's stock.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Trading Down 0.5%

NYSE NGVC traded down $0.20 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $38.35. 18,272 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 203,260. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. has a one year low of $24.99 and a one year high of $61.22. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $39.35 and a 200-day simple moving average of $43.02. The stock has a market cap of $880.16 million, a P/E ratio of 20.35 and a beta of 1.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21, a current ratio of 1.02 and a quick ratio of 0.21.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage (NYSE:NGVC - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 7th. The specialty retailer reported $0.50 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.49 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $328.71 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $335.01 million. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage had a net margin of 3.31% and a return on equity of 23.47%. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage has set its FY 2025 guidance at 1.900-1.950 EPS. On average, 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 firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 17th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 2nd will be issued a dividend of $0.12 per share. This represents a $0.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.3%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 2nd. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 25.53%.

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Lark Isely sold 2,000 shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $40.00, for a total transaction of $80,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 4,682 shares in the company, valued at $187,280. This trade represents a 29.93% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Insiders have sold 4,500 shares of company stock worth $189,020 in the last ninety days. 58.80% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Saturday, August 16th.

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.