Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage (NYSE:NGVC) Stock Price Breaks Above Two Hundred Day Moving Average - Here's Why

Key Points

• NGVC moved above its 200-day moving average of $28.65, reaching $29.29 and last trading at $29.157; the stock was up 1.9% in the session.
• Analyst views are mixed but average to a “Moderate Buy”: two analysts rate the shares Buy and two Hold, with an average price target of $37.50.
• Institutional investors own about 32% of the stock, with several firms reporting increased positions or new investments, including Royce & Associates, which boosted its holdings by 67.8%.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE:NGVC - Get Free Report) crossed above its two hundred day moving average during trading on Monday. The stock has a two hundred day moving average of $28.65 and traded as high as $29.29. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage shares last traded at $29.1570, with a volume of 86,191 shares traded.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms recently commented on NGVC. Zacks Research upgraded Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage to a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, September 21st. Wall Street Zen lowered Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Sunday, October 25th. Bank of America began 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 objective for the company. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a "hold (c+)" rating on shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage in a report on Monday, August 24th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $37.50.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Stock Up 1.9%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18, a current ratio of 1.10 and a quick ratio of 0.25. The stock's fifty day simple moving average is $29.54 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $28.65. The company has a market capitalization of $672.07 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.15, a PEG ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 1.29.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in NGVC. BlackRock Inc. acquired a new position in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage during the second quarter worth about $30,766,000. Royce & Associates LP grew its holdings in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage by 67.8% during the third quarter. Royce & Associates LP now owns 1,007,048 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $30,675,000 after buying an additional 406,785 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp purchased a new position in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage during the 2nd quarter valued at about $5,366,000. Russell Investments Group Ltd. increased its stake in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage by 259.9% in the 3rd quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 231,093 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $7,039,000 after buying an additional 166,885 shares during the period. Finally, Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage in the second quarter worth $2,751,000. 31.99% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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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