Russell Investments Group Ltd. Lowers Holdings in National Grid plc (NYSE:NGG)

Russell Investments Group Ltd. decreased its holdings in National Grid plc (NYSE:NGG - Free Report) by 31.5% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 79,502 shares of the utilities provider's stock after selling 36,566 shares during the quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd.'s holdings in National Grid were worth $4,724,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of NGG. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its position in National Grid by 5.1% during the fourth quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 1,405,185 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $83,496,000 after purchasing an additional 68,587 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new position in shares of National Grid during the 4th quarter valued at $67,324,000. LPL Financial LLC boosted its stake in shares of National Grid by 3.3% in the 4th quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 781,572 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $46,441,000 after buying an additional 25,082 shares during the last quarter. ABC Arbitrage SA bought a new stake in shares of National Grid in the fourth quarter worth $21,706,000. Finally, Hennessy Advisors Inc. increased its position in National Grid by 2.8% during the fourth quarter. Hennessy Advisors Inc. now owns 209,144 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $12,427,000 after acquiring an additional 5,700 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 4.68% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

NGG has been the subject of several research reports. StockNews.com raised shares of National Grid from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, March 7th. Citigroup raised shares of National Grid from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, January 21st. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein upgraded shares of National Grid from a "market perform" rating to an "outperform" rating in a research note on Monday, March 17th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy".

National Grid Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:NGG traded up $0.55 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $72.03. 1,525,780 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 661,781. The company's 50 day moving average price is $63.94 and its 200-day moving average price is $62.81. The firm has a market cap of $70.48 billion, a PE ratio of 13.85, a PEG ratio of 5.64 and a beta of 0.58. National Grid plc has a 52 week low of $54.24 and a 52 week high of $73.09. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.18, a current ratio of 1.61 and a quick ratio of 1.54.

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.