Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage (NYSE:NGVC) Shares Gap Up - What's Next?

Key Points

• NGVC shares jumped at the open, rising from a prior close of $30.07 to $32.17 before trading around $31.66.
• Analyst sentiment is generally positive: the stock has an average “Moderate Buy” rating and a $37.50 consensus price target, with Bank of America initiating coverage at Buy and a $35 target.
• The company missed quarterly expectations, reporting $0.48 in EPS versus $0.52 expected and revenue of $334.74 million versus $347.17 million expected, while maintaining a $0.15 quarterly dividend.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE:NGVC - Get Free Report) shares gapped up before the market opened on Friday. The stock had previously closed at $30.07, but opened at $32.17. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage shares last traded at $31.6550, with a volume of 1,217 shares traded.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have recently commented on the company. Bank of America assumed coverage on Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage in a research note on Friday, September 18th. They set a "buy" rating and a $35.00 price target on the stock. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Saturday, October 17th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a "hold (c+)" rating on shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage in a report on Monday, August 24th. Finally, Zacks Research raised shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage to a "hold" rating in a research report on Monday, September 21st. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $37.50.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Stock Performance

The business's 50-day moving average price is $29.12 and its 200-day moving average price is $29.55. The company has a current ratio of 1.10, a quick ratio of 0.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. The stock has a market cap of $728.01 million, a PE ratio of 15.28, a P/E/G ratio of 1.66 and a beta of 1.27.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage (NYSE:NGVC - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, August 6th. The specialty retailer reported $0.48 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.52 by ($0.04). The firm had revenue of $334.74 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $347.17 million. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage had a net margin of 3.55% and a return on equity of 21.11%. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.070-2.110 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. will post 2.10 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 2nd. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 17th were issued a dividend of $0.15 per share. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 17th. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage's dividend payout ratio is currently 29.13%.

Institutional Trading of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. QV Investors Inc. acquired a new stake in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage in the third quarter worth about $1,532,000. Green Alpha Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage by 0.7% during the third quarter. Green Alpha Advisors LLC now owns 65,098 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $1,983,000 after acquiring an additional 484 shares in the last quarter. Tidal Investments LLC acquired a new position in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage during the second quarter valued at about $672,000. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC purchased a new position in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Finally, Squarepoint Ops LLC purchased a new position in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $349,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 31.99% of the company's stock.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Company Profile

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc is a specialty retailer focused on natural and organic groceries, dietary supplements, and health-oriented products. Its stores offer fresh produce, meat and seafood, dairy, bulk foods, packaged groceries, vitamins and supplements, personal care items, and household products. The company emphasizes products that meet its quality standards, including restrictions on artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, and genetically modified ingredients in many categories.

Founded in 1955 by Margaret and Philip Isely, Natural Grocers began as a small health-food store in Colorado and has grown into a regional supermarket chain.

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