Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage (NYSE:NGVC) Sees Unusually-High Trading Volume – Should You Buy?

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE:NGVC) shares saw unusually-strong trading volume on Monday . Approximately 31,327 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 58% from the previous session’s volume of 75,223 shares.The stock last traded at $43.86 and had previously closed at $45.60.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, StockNews.com upgraded Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Friday.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Trading Up 2.9 %

The company has a quick ratio of 0.18, a current ratio of 0.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.81 and a beta of 1.23. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $29.36 and its 200 day simple moving average is $25.34.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 18th. Investors of record on Monday, December 2nd will be paid a $0.12 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 2nd. This represents a $0.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.02%. This is a boost from Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.10. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 27.03%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its stake in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage by 28.3% in the 2nd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 304,382 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $6,453,000 after acquiring an additional 67,187 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage by 11.4% during the third quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 219,301 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $6,513,000 after purchasing an additional 22,413 shares during the period. Inspire Investing LLC acquired a new position in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $353,000. Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd purchased a new stake in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $430,000. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP boosted its stake in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage by 49.3% during the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 43,437 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $921,000 after buying an additional 14,338 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 31.99% of the company’s stock.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Company Profile

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.