North West (TSE:NWC) Stock Passes Above Two Hundred Day Moving Average - Should You Sell?

Key Points

• North West Company's stock price has crossed above its 200-day moving average, reaching C$50.72, with shares last trading at C$50.46.
• Royal Bank of Canada set a price target of C$60.00 for North West and gave the stock an "outperform" rating, reflecting confidence in future performance.
• The company has recently increased its quarterly dividend to $0.53 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 4.2%, up from the previous $0.40 dividend.

The North West Company Inc. (TSE:NWC - Get Free Report) shares crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of C$50.43 and traded as high as C$50.72. North West shares last traded at C$50.46, with a volume of 188,171 shares.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Royal Bank Of Canada set a C$60.00 price objective on shares of North West and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Monday, July 28th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and four have assigned a Buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, North West presently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of C$60.75.

North West Stock Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 2.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 59.78. The stock has a market cap of C$2.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.87, a P/E/G ratio of 1.11 and a beta of 0.18. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of C$48.67 and a 200 day simple moving average of C$50.53.

North West Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, July 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, July 15th were paid a $0.53 dividend. This is an increase from North West's previous quarterly dividend of $0.40. This represents a $2.12 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, June 27th. North West's payout ratio is currently 56.18%.

Insider Activity

In other news, Senior Officer Vineet Gupta acquired 2,200 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 17th. The stock was bought at an average price of C$49.95 per share, with a total value of C$109,890.00. 0.12% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

About North West

The North West Co Inc is a Canada-based company that is principally engaged in retail business in underserved rural communities and urban neighborhoods. The company provides food, family apparel, housewares, appliances, and outdoor products, with food products accounting for the majority of the company's revenue.