Weiss Ratings Downgrades Navigator (NYSE:NVGS) to Hold (C+)

Key Points

• Weiss Ratings downgraded Navigator (NYSE:NVGS) from a "buy" to a "hold" rating, indicating a shift in sentiment toward the stock.
• Despite the downgrade, other analysts like Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a "buy" rating with a target price of $19.00, while Deutsche Bank set a higher target of $24.00.
• Navigator's recent earnings report showed a miss in EPS estimates, posting $0.14 against expectations of $0.36, but revenues surpassed analyst expectations at $129.64 million.

Navigator (NYSE:NVGS - Get Free Report) was downgraded by Weiss Ratings from a "buy (b-)" rating to a "hold (c+)" rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Saturday,Weiss Ratings reports.

Several other equities research analysts have also issued reports on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a "buy" rating and set a $19.00 price target on shares of Navigator in a report on Wednesday, August 13th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft initiated coverage on shares of Navigator in a research report on Thursday, September 25th. They set a "buy" rating and a $24.00 target price on the stock. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $22.33.

Navigator Stock Performance

Shares of NVGS opened at $15.73 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.39 and a beta of 0.63. The company has a current ratio of 1.59, a quick ratio of 1.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $15.84 and a 200 day simple moving average of $14.87. Navigator has a 12 month low of $10.55 and a 12 month high of $17.52.

Navigator (NYSE:NVGS - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, August 12th. The shipping company reported $0.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.36 by ($0.22). Navigator had a return on equity of 6.56% and a net margin of 15.57%.The company had revenue of $129.64 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $126.73 million. Research analysts forecast that Navigator will post 1.25 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. California State Teachers Retirement System bought a new stake in shares of Navigator in the 2nd quarter valued at $29,000. Legal & General Group Plc bought a new stake in shares of Navigator in the 2nd quarter valued at $42,000. Ameritas Investment Partners Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Navigator in the 2nd quarter valued at $47,000. Osaic Holdings Inc. increased its stake in shares of Navigator by 21,406.3% in the 2nd quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 3,441 shares of the shipping company's stock valued at $49,000 after acquiring an additional 3,425 shares in the last quarter. Finally, CWM LLC bought a new stake in shares of Navigator in the 3rd quarter valued at $52,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 18.95% of the company's stock.

About Navigator

Navigator Holdings Ltd. engages in owning and operating a fleet of liquefied gas carriers worldwide. It provides international and regional seaborne transportation services of petrochemical gases, liquefied petroleum gases, and ammonia for energy companies, industrial users, and commodity traders. The company also offers ship shore infrastructure and consultancy services.

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