Trexquant Investment LP Decreases Stock Holdings in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE:NGVC)

Trexquant Investment LP cut its stake in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE:NGVC - Free Report) by 56.2% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 7,029 shares of the specialty retailer's stock after selling 9,001 shares during the period. Trexquant Investment LP's holdings in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage were worth $279,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Van ECK Associates Corp lifted its stake in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage by 33.3% in the 4th quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 2,301 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $91,000 after purchasing an additional 575 shares during the period. Golden State Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage in the fourth quarter worth approximately $27,000. Empowered Funds LLC lifted its stake in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage by 4.6% in the fourth quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 15,487 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $615,000 after buying an additional 675 shares during the period. Meeder Asset Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage during the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its position in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage by 3.7% during the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 27,363 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $1,087,000 after buying an additional 974 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 31.99% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, StockNews.com lowered shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, January 13th.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Stock Down 0.1 %

Shares of NGVC stock traded down $0.03 on Friday, reaching $47.68. 128,243 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 107,045. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. has a one year low of $15.82 and a one year high of $50.91. The company has a market cap of $1.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.37 and a beta of 1.73. The company has a 50-day moving average of $42.37 and a 200-day moving average of $38.93. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28, a current ratio of 0.96 and a quick ratio of 0.15.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage (NYSE:NGVC - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The specialty retailer reported $0.43 EPS for the quarter. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage had a net margin of 2.84% and a return on equity of 21.12%. Analysts anticipate that Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. will post 1.61 earnings per share for the current year.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 19th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 3rd were issued a dividend of $0.12 per share. This represents a $0.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.01%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 3rd. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage's dividend payout ratio is currently 30.57%.

About Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, retails natural and organic groceries, and dietary supplements in the United States. The company's stores offer natural and organic grocery products, such as organic produce; private label repackaged bulk products, including dried fruits, nuts, grains, granolas, teas, herbs, and spices, as well as peanut and almond butters; private label products comprising grocery staples, household products, bulk foods, and vitamins and dietary supplements, as well as organic eggs, organic flavored coffee, and organic mustard; dry, frozen, and canned groceries; meat and seafood products; dairy products, dairy substitutes, and eggs; prepared foods; bread and baked products; beverages; and beer, wine, and hard cider products.