Navigator (NYSE:NVGS) Sets New 12-Month High - What's Next?

Key Points

• Navigator shares reached a new 52-week high of $24.46, up from a prior close of $23.48. Analysts rate the stock a “Moderate Buy,” though the $23.33 consensus target is below the latest trading price.
• The company reported strong quarterly results, with earnings per share of $0.85 versus the $0.53 estimate and revenue of $167.94 million, ahead of the $139.46 million consensus.
• Navigator declared a quarterly dividend of $0.07 per share, equivalent to $0.28 annually and a 1.2% yield. Meanwhile, two company insiders sold shares, while institutional investors collectively own 18.95% of the stock.

Navigator Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:NVGS - Get Free Report)'s share price reached a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $24.46 and last traded at $24.4660, with a volume of 484832 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $23.48.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on NVGS shares. Weiss Ratings raised shares of Navigator from a "buy (b-)" rating to a "buy (b)" rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 5th. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Navigator from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, August 7th. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised Navigator from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Saturday, August 8th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Navigator has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $23.33.

Navigator Stock Up 3.5%

The company has a market cap of $1.49 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.20, a PEG ratio of 0.59 and a beta of 0.47. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $21.59 and its 200 day simple moving average is $21.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61, a quick ratio of 1.62 and a current ratio of 1.71.

Navigator (NYSE:NVGS - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, August 5th. The shipping company reported $0.85 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.53 by $0.32. The firm had revenue of $167.94 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $139.46 million. Navigator had a return on equity of 10.45% and a net margin of 22.80%. On average, research analysts forecast that Navigator Holdings Ltd. will post 1.76 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Navigator Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 1st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, August 19th were given a dividend of $0.07 per share. This represents a $0.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, August 19th. Navigator's payout ratio is 12.90%.

Insider Activity

In other Navigator news, insider Oeyvind Lindeman sold 7,500 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $21.68, for a total transaction of $162,600.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 7,246 shares in the company, valued at $157,093.28. This trade represents a 50.86% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Peter George Charles An Stokes sold 5,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $20.28, for a total transaction of $101,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 6,910 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $140,134.80. The trade was a 41.98% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Navigator

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. 1492 Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Navigator by 3.3% in the fourth quarter. 1492 Capital Management LLC now owns 170,874 shares of the shipping company's stock worth $2,960,000 after acquiring an additional 5,427 shares during the period. 683 Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Navigator by 3.3% in the 4th quarter. 683 Capital Management LLC now owns 186,000 shares of the shipping company's stock worth $3,222,000 after buying an additional 6,000 shares during the last quarter. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Navigator by 30.5% in the 2nd quarter. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. now owns 30,779 shares of the shipping company's stock worth $572,000 after purchasing an additional 7,185 shares in the last quarter. BTG Pactual Asset Management US LLC grew its position in Navigator by 72.3% during the second quarter. BTG Pactual Asset Management US LLC now owns 18,797 shares of the shipping company's stock valued at $350,000 after acquiring an additional 7,890 shares during the last quarter. Finally, State of Wyoming raised its position in Navigator by 242.1% in the 1st quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 14,661 shares of the shipping company's stock worth $283,000 after purchasing an additional 10,376 shares during the period. 18.95% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Navigator Company Profile

Navigator Holdings Ltd. NYSE: NVGS, doing business as Navigator Gas, is a maritime transportation company that owns and operates a fleet of gas carriers. The company specializes in the seaborne transportation of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), petrochemical gases such as ethylene, and ammonia.

Navigator Gas serves energy, petrochemical and industrial-gas customers through international shipping routes. Its vessels are designed to transport liquefied gases in various cargo sizes and temperature conditions, supporting the movement of products between production centers, export terminals and regional markets worldwide.

In addition to its shipping operations, the company has interests in marine infrastructure connected with the handling and export of liquefied gases.

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