National Grid Transco, PLC (NYSE:NGG) Given Average Rating of "Moderate Buy" by Analysts

National Grid Transco, PLC (NYSE:NGG - Get Free Report) has been assigned an average rating of "Moderate Buy" from the eight brokerages that are covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 1 year target price among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $80.40.

Several research firms have issued reports on NGG. BNP Paribas Exane started coverage on National Grid Transco in a research note on Thursday, May 29th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $80.40 price objective on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of National Grid Transco in a research note on Wednesday, May 21st. Barclays reiterated an "overweight" rating on shares of National Grid Transco in a research note on Friday, May 16th. UBS Group lowered National Grid Transco from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 29th. Finally, BNP Paribas upgraded National Grid Transco from an "outperform" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, May 29th.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On National Grid Transco

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in NGG. Whipplewood Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of National Grid Transco during the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of National Grid Transco during the 1st quarter valued at about $28,000. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. bought a new stake in shares of National Grid Transco during the 1st quarter valued at about $29,000. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. boosted its position in shares of National Grid Transco by 67.6% during the 4th quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 491 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 198 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Capital Analysts LLC boosted its position in shares of National Grid Transco by 33.6% during the 1st quarter. Capital Analysts LLC now owns 640 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $42,000 after purchasing an additional 161 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 4.68% of the company's stock.

National Grid Transco Price Performance

NYSE:NGG opened at $71.64 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.30, a current ratio of 1.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.13. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $71.49 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $64.82. The firm has a market capitalization of $70.10 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.78, a P/E/G ratio of 6.18 and a beta of 0.63. National Grid Transco has a 12-month low of $53.65 and a 12-month high of $73.03.

National Grid Transco Cuts Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 28th. Investors of record on Friday, May 30th will be given a dividend of $2.0345 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 30th. This represents a yield of 4.7%. National Grid Transco's dividend payout ratio is currently 78.27%.

About National Grid Transco

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.

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