Navigator (NYSE:NVGS) Coverage Initiated at Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft

Key Points

• Deutsche Bank initiated coverage of Navigator (NYSE:NVGS) with a "buy" rating and a price target of $24.00, suggesting a potential upside of 46.52% from its previous close.
• Navigator reported a missed earnings estimate for the quarter, with EPS of $0.14 compared to expectations of $0.36, but exceeded revenue predictions with $129.64 million.
• Institutional investors are actively acquiring shares in Navigator, with notable new positions taken by California State Teachers Retirement System and Osaic Holdings Inc., increasing their holdings significantly during the second quarter.

Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft began coverage on shares of Navigator (NYSE:NVGS - Get Free Report) in a note issued to investors on Thursday,Briefing.com Automated Import reports. The brokerage set a "buy" rating and a $24.00 price target on the shipping company's stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft's target price would indicate a potential upside of 46.52% from the stock's previous close.

Separately, Jefferies Financial Group restated a "buy" rating and issued a $19.00 price objective on shares of Navigator in a report on Wednesday, August 13th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $22.33.

Navigator Price Performance

Navigator stock opened at $16.38 on Thursday. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $16.15 and its 200-day simple moving average is $14.55. The company has a market capitalization of $1.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.90 and a beta of 0.67. Navigator has a 1 year low of $10.55 and a 1 year high of $17.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70, a quick ratio of 1.53 and a current ratio of 1.59.

Navigator (NYSE:NVGS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 12th. The shipping company reported $0.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.36 by ($0.22). The company had revenue of $129.64 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $126.73 million. Navigator had a net margin of 15.57% and a return on equity of 6.56%. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Navigator will post 1.25 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. California State Teachers Retirement System acquired a new position in Navigator during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Legal & General Group Plc acquired a new position in Navigator during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $42,000. Ameritas Investment Partners Inc. acquired a new position in Navigator during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $47,000. Osaic Holdings Inc. grew its holdings in Navigator by 21,406.3% during the 2nd quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 3,441 shares of the shipping company's stock worth $49,000 after acquiring an additional 3,425 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new position in Navigator during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $59,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 18.95% of the company's stock.

Navigator Company Profile

Navigator Holdings Ltd. engages in owning and operating a fleet of liquefied gas carriers worldwide. It provides international and regional seaborne transportation services of petrochemical gases, liquefied petroleum gases, and ammonia for energy companies, industrial users, and commodity traders. The company also offers ship shore infrastructure and consultancy services.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest and most accurate reporting. This story was reviewed by MarketBeat's editorial team prior to publication. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.