Natixis Advisors LLC Boosts Stock Holdings in National Grid Transco, PLC (NYSE:NGG)

Key Points

• Natixis Advisors LLC increased its stake in National Grid Transco, PLC by 8.5%, now holding 99,286 shares valued at approximately $6.5 million.
• National Grid Transco's consensus rating has shifted to a Moderate Buy, with an average target price of $80.40 despite mixed analyst ratings.
• The company has reported a dividend yield of 470.0%, with a recent dividend payout of $2.0345 per share, while its dividend payout ratio stands at 78.27%.

Natixis Advisors LLC increased its position in National Grid Transco, PLC (NYSE:NGG - Free Report) by 8.5% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 99,286 shares of the utilities provider's stock after buying an additional 7,749 shares during the period. Natixis Advisors LLC's holdings in National Grid Transco were worth $6,514,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. World Investment Advisors lifted its holdings in shares of National Grid Transco by 19.0% in the 4th quarter. World Investment Advisors now owns 8,918 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $530,000 after purchasing an additional 1,422 shares in the last quarter. FMR LLC boosted its stake in National Grid Transco by 11.9% during the 4th quarter. FMR LLC now owns 4,462,898 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $265,185,000 after purchasing an additional 473,172 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. increased its holdings in National Grid Transco by 3.2% during the 4th quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 537,269 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $31,925,000 after purchasing an additional 16,409 shares in the last quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. purchased a new stake in shares of National Grid Transco in the fourth quarter worth approximately $651,000. Finally, Savvy Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in shares of National Grid Transco during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $245,000. 4.68% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have weighed in on NGG shares. BNP Paribas upgraded National Grid Transco from an "outperform" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, May 29th. UBS Group lowered shares of National Grid Transco from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 29th. Citigroup reaffirmed a "neutral" rating on shares of National Grid Transco in a research report on Tuesday, May 6th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of National Grid Transco from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research report on Friday, May 16th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a "buy" rating on shares of National Grid Transco in a research note on Wednesday, May 21st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, four have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $80.40.

National Grid Transco Trading Down 0.3%

NGG traded down $0.24 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $72.06. The company had a trading volume of 643,488 shares, compared to its average volume of 883,636. National Grid Transco, PLC has a 12-month low of $55.82 and a 12-month high of $74.82. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $71.77 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $67.88. The company has a quick ratio of 1.30, a current ratio of 1.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.13.

National Grid Transco Cuts Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 30th were issued a dividend of $2.0345 per share. This represents a yield of 470.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 30th. National Grid Transco's dividend payout ratio is 78.27%.

National Grid Transco 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.