Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. Has $1.35 Million Stock Position in National Grid Transco, PLC $NGG

Key Points

• Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. increased its stake in National Grid Transco by 170.3%, acquiring an additional 13,006 shares during the first quarter, bringing its total holdings to 20,642 shares valued at approximately $1.35 million.
• National Grid Transco's stock was recently rated with a consensus of “Moderate Buy” from analysts, with a target price of $80.40 amidst various ratings changes, including downgrades by Royal Bank Of Canada and Wall Street Zen.
• The company declared a semi-annual dividend of $2.0345, but has a high dividend payout ratio of 78.27%, which may raise concerns about sustainability.

Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. lifted its stake in shares of National Grid Transco, PLC (NYSE:NGG - Free Report) by 170.3% during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 20,642 shares of the utilities provider's stock after acquiring an additional 13,006 shares during the quarter. Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc.'s holdings in National Grid Transco were worth $1,354,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in NGG. Todd Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in National Grid Transco in the first quarter valued at approximately $304,000. Nuveen LLC purchased a new position in National Grid Transco in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $32,015,000. Entropy Technologies LP acquired a new position in shares of National Grid Transco during the 1st quarter worth $907,000. Benjamin Edwards Inc. boosted its stake in National Grid Transco by 12.2% in the 1st quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 21,133 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $1,387,000 after buying an additional 2,303 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Zions Bancorporation National Association UT acquired a new position in National Grid Transco during the first quarter worth approximately $10,705,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 4.68% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

NGG has been the topic of a number of research reports. Royal Bank Of Canada downgraded shares of National Grid Transco from an "outperform" rating to a "sector perform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 28th. Barclays reaffirmed an "overweight" rating on shares of National Grid Transco in a report on Friday, May 16th. 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. UBS Group lowered shares of National Grid Transco from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 29th. Finally, Citigroup restated a "neutral" rating on shares of National Grid Transco in a report on Tuesday, May 6th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $80.40.

National Grid Transco Stock Performance

National Grid Transco stock traded down $0.6750 on Thursday, hitting $71.4050. The company's stock had a trading volume of 424,181 shares, compared to its average volume of 881,103. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $71.73 and a 200-day moving average price of $68.60. 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, PLC has a one year low of $55.82 and a one year high of $74.82. The firm has a market cap of $70.85 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.74, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.61 and a beta of 0.63.

National Grid Transco 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.