Marshall Wace LLP Has $8.32 Million Stock Holdings in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE:NGVC)

Marshall Wace LLP grew its stake in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE:NGVC - Free Report) by 516.0% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 209,564 shares of the specialty retailer's stock after purchasing an additional 175,545 shares during the quarter. Marshall Wace LLP owned approximately 0.91% of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage worth $8,324,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of NGVC. Van ECK Associates Corp raised its stake 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 worth $91,000 after acquiring an additional 575 shares during the period. Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage during the fourth quarter worth about $27,000. Empowered Funds LLC raised its stake in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage by 4.6% during the fourth quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 15,487 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $615,000 after acquiring an additional 675 shares during the period. Meeder Asset Management Inc. bought a new position in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage in the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. Finally, Martingale Asset Management L P grew its position in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage by 5.3% in the 4th quarter. Martingale Asset Management L P now owns 14,015 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $557,000 after purchasing an additional 703 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 31.99% of the company's stock.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Price Performance

NYSE:NGVC traded up $0.18 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $48.76. 169,727 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 109,303. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $42.25 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $40.16. The company has a current ratio of 0.96, a quick ratio of 0.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28. The company has a market capitalization of $1.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.06 and a beta of 1.73. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. has a one year low of $16.36 and a one year high of $50.91.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage (NYSE:NGVC - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 6th. The specialty retailer reported $0.43 earnings per share for the quarter. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage had a return on equity of 21.12% and a net margin of 2.84%. Sell-side analysts predict 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 was paid on Wednesday, March 19th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 3rd were issued a $0.12 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 3rd. This represents a $0.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.98%. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 30.57%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, StockNews.com cut shares of 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.