Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage (NYSE:NGVC) Stock Jumps 5% - Should You Buy?

Key Points

• NGVC shares rose 5% to about $31.19 in thin mid-day trading, though volume was roughly 99% below the average session volume.
• Analyst sentiment is generally positive, with a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a $43.00 price target; however, the company recently missed quarterly earnings and revenue estimates.
• Natural Grocers pays a quarterly dividend of $0.15 per share, equivalent to a 2.0% yield and a 29.13% payout ratio, while institutional investors own about 32% of the stock.

Shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE:NGVC - Get Free Report) rose 5% during mid-day trading on Tuesday. The stock traded as high as $30.70 and last traded at $31.1910. Approximately 1,550 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 99% from the average session volume of 154,681 shares. The stock had previously closed at $29.71.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

NGVC has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Zacks Research upgraded Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage to a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, September 21st. Bank of America started coverage on Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage in a research note on Friday, September 18th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $35.00 price objective for the company. Wall Street Zen cut Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Sunday, September 13th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a "hold (c+)" rating on shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage in a report on Monday, August 24th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $43.00.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Price Performance

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 company has a market cap of $705.79 million, a P/E ratio of 14.87, a PEG ratio of 1.83 and a beta of 1.30. The business's fifty day moving average is $29.22 and its 200 day moving average is $28.95.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage (NYSE:NGVC - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 6th. The specialty retailer reported $0.48 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.52 by ($0.04). The firm had revenue of $334.74 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate 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, sell-side analysts anticipate that Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. will post 2.1 EPS for the current year.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 2nd. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 17th were issued a dividend of $0.15 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 17th. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.0%. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage's dividend payout ratio is 29.13%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC grew its position in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage by 2.8% during the first quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 36,927 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $955,000 after acquiring an additional 1,014 shares during the last quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC bought a new stake in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $36,000. Inspire Investing LLC boosted its stake in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage by 6.9% in the 1st quarter. Inspire Investing LLC now owns 19,979 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $516,000 after purchasing an additional 1,282 shares in the last quarter. Persistent Asset Partners Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage in the 2nd quarter valued at $61,000. Finally, Legal & General Group Plc bought a new position in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage during the 2nd quarter valued at $76,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors 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 foods, dietary supplements, and health-oriented products. Its stores offer groceries such as fresh produce, meat, dairy, frozen foods, pantry staples, and bulk items, along with vitamins, nutritional supplements, body care products, and household goods.

The company emphasizes USDA-certified organic and non-genetically modified products, product-quality standards, and nutritional education. Many locations also provide free nutrition classes, educational materials, and guidance from credentialed nutrition professionals as part of the company's focus on supporting healthy lifestyles.

Natural Grocers was founded in 1955 in Golden, Colorado, by Margaret and Philip Isely and remains family operated.

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