Northcoast Research Initiates Coverage on Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage (NYSE:NGVC)

Key Points

• Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage has been upgraded to a "strong-buy" rating by Northcoast Research, reflecting positive analyst sentiment surrounding the stock.
• Recent earnings reports show that the company exceeded EPS estimates with $0.50, while setting guidance for FY 2025 at 1.900-1.950 EPS.
• Institutional ownership is significant, with institutions owning 31.99% of the company’s stock, and several large investors recently increasing their positions.

Investment analysts at Northcoast Research initiated coverage on shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage (NYSE:NGVC - Get Free Report) in a research note issued on Wednesday, Marketbeat reports. The brokerage set a "buy" rating and a $54.00 price target on the specialty retailer's stock. Northcoast Research's price target suggests a potential upside of 33.02% from the stock's previous close.

Several other analysts have also weighed in on the stock. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, September 5th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a "hold (c+)" rating on shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $54.00.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:NGVC opened at $40.60 on Wednesday. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage has a 1-year low of $26.31 and a 1-year high of $61.22. The firm has a market capitalization of $931.66 million, a PE ratio of 21.59 and a beta of 1.56. The business's 50 day moving average is $38.65 and its 200-day moving average is $42.15. The company has a current ratio of 1.02, a quick ratio of 0.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage (NYSE:NGVC - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 7th. The specialty retailer reported $0.50 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.49 by $0.01. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage had a return on equity of 23.47% and a net margin of 3.31%.The company had revenue of $328.71 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $335.01 million. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage has set its FY 2025 guidance at 1.900-1.950 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage will post 1.61 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage news, insider Lark Isely sold 2,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $40.00, for a total value of $80,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider owned 4,682 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $187,280. The trade was a 29.93% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 58.80% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Victory Capital Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage during the first quarter worth approximately $14,006,000. Ophir Asset Management Pty Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage during the second quarter worth approximately $8,560,000. Driehaus Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage during the first quarter valued at $6,528,000. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd lifted its stake in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage by 76.1% during the second quarter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd now owns 233,167 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $9,152,000 after acquiring an additional 100,732 shares during the period. Finally, Lord Abbett & CO. LLC lifted its stake in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage by 24.1% during the first quarter. Lord Abbett & CO. LLC now owns 497,268 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $19,990,000 after acquiring an additional 96,678 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 31.99% of the company's stock.

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.