National Grid plc (NYSE:NGG) Given Consensus Recommendation of "Moderate Buy" by Analysts

National Grid plc (NYSE:NGG - Get Free Report) has received an average rating of "Moderate Buy" from the six ratings firms that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company.

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. BNP Paribas upgraded National Grid from an "underperform" rating to an "outperform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 2nd. StockNews.com upgraded National Grid from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 3rd. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded National Grid from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, February 5th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded National Grid from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 16th.

National Grid Trading Up 0.5 %

Shares of NGG traded up $0.34 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $65.00. The company's stock had a trading volume of 437,711 shares, compared to its average volume of 281,792. National Grid has a one year low of $56.40 and a one year high of $74.48. The company's fifty day simple moving average is $66.77 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $65.32. The company has a current ratio of 0.93, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.43.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On National Grid

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Gilman Hill Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of National Grid by 16.1% during the 1st quarter. Gilman Hill Asset Management LLC now owns 34,039 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $2,322,000 after acquiring an additional 4,708 shares in the last quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC lifted its holdings in National Grid by 10.9% during the 1st quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC now owns 8,685 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $592,000 after buying an additional 856 shares during the period. Park Avenue Securities LLC lifted its holdings in National Grid by 69.2% during the 1st quarter. Park Avenue Securities LLC now owns 29,036 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $1,981,000 after buying an additional 11,876 shares during the period. Lantz Financial LLC lifted its holdings in National Grid by 11.2% during the 1st quarter. Lantz Financial LLC now owns 6,723 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $459,000 after buying an additional 677 shares during the period. Finally, Mather Group LLC. acquired a new position in National Grid during the 1st quarter worth about $32,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 4.68% of the company's stock.

About National Grid

National Grid plc transmits and distributes electricity and gas. The company 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.