Graham Capital Management L.P. Takes $210,000 Position in National Grid plc (NYSE:NGG)

Graham Capital Management L.P. purchased a new position in National Grid plc (NYSE:NGG - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 3,528 shares of the utilities provider's stock, valued at approximately $210,000.

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Whipplewood Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in National Grid in the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. raised its stake in shares of National Grid by 67.6% during the 4th quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 491 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 198 shares in the last quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC boosted its position in shares of National Grid by 145.6% during the 4th quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 700 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $42,000 after purchasing an additional 415 shares in the last quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC boosted its holdings in National Grid by 36.2% during the fourth quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC now owns 723 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $43,000 after buying an additional 192 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp purchased a new stake in shares of National Grid during the 4th quarter worth approximately $53,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 4.68% of the company's stock.

National Grid Stock Up 1.4%

Shares of NGG traded up $1.05 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $74.68. The company had a trading volume of 573,061 shares, compared to its average volume of 734,751. The company has a quick ratio of 1.54, a current ratio of 1.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.18. The company's 50 day moving average price is $68.74 and its 200 day moving average price is $63.72. National Grid plc has a 52 week low of $54.24 and a 52 week high of $74.82. The stock has a market cap of $73.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.36, a PEG ratio of 5.64 and a beta of 0.63.

National Grid Cuts Dividend

The company also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 30th will be given a $2.0345 dividend. This represents a yield of 4.7%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 30th. National Grid's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 38.65%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on NGG shares. Sanford C. Bernstein raised shares of National Grid from a "market perform" rating to an "outperform" rating in a research report on Monday, March 17th. Citigroup reaffirmed a "neutral" rating on shares of National Grid in a research report on Tuesday, May 6th. Wall Street Zen lowered National Grid from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research report on Friday, May 16th. UBS Group cut shares of National Grid from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 29th. Finally, Barclays restated an "overweight" rating on shares of National Grid in a research note on Friday, May 16th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Hold".

National Grid Company Profile

National Grid plc transmits and distributes electricity and gas. It operates through UK Electricity Transmission, UK Electricity Distribution, UK Electricity System Operator, New England, New York, National Grid Ventures, and Other segments. The UK Electricity Transmission segment provides electricity transmission and construction work services in England and Wales.