Navigator (NYSE:NVGS) Stock Rating Lowered by StockNews.com

StockNews.com downgraded shares of Navigator (NYSE:NVGS) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday.

Separately, Citigroup initiated coverage on shares of Navigator in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. They set a buy rating and a $22.00 target price on the stock.

Navigator Stock Down 1.4 %

NVGS stock opened at $16.08 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.74 and a beta of 1.51. The company has a 50-day moving average of $16.62 and a two-hundred day moving average of $16.00. Navigator has a 52-week low of $12.80 and a 52-week high of $18.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 1.15 and a quick ratio of 1.10.

Navigator (NYSE:NVGS) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, May 15th. The shipping company reported $0.31 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.31. The firm had revenue of $119.97 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $121.51 million. Navigator had a return on equity of 6.86% and a net margin of 15.68%. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Navigator will post 1.43 EPS for the current year.

Navigator Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 24th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 3rd will be paid a dividend of $0.05 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 3rd. This represents a $0.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.24%. Navigator’s dividend payout ratio is 17.09%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Encompass Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Navigator during the second quarter valued at approximately $23,571,000. Acadian Asset Management LLC grew its position in Navigator by 145.7% in the first quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 1,086,016 shares of the shipping company’s stock valued at $16,641,000 after acquiring an additional 644,011 shares during the period. Hodges Capital Management Inc. raised its stake in Navigator by 89.3% during the first quarter. Hodges Capital Management Inc. now owns 522,535 shares of the shipping company’s stock worth $8,021,000 after acquiring an additional 246,505 shares in the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP lifted its holdings in shares of Navigator by 361.3% during the second quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 207,039 shares of the shipping company’s stock valued at $3,615,000 after acquiring an additional 162,160 shares during the period. Finally, Renaissance Technologies LLC boosted its stake in shares of Navigator by 15.8% in the 2nd quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 787,700 shares of the shipping company’s stock valued at $13,753,000 after purchasing an additional 107,300 shares in the last quarter. 18.95% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.