Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage (NYSE:NGVC) Downgraded to “Buy” Rating by StockNews.com

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage (NYSE:NGVC) was downgraded by research analysts at StockNews.com from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a note issued to investors on Wednesday.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Price Performance

NYSE:NGVC opened at $33.28 on Wednesday. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage has a one year low of $12.35 and a one year high of $33.88. The stock has a market cap of $758.45 million, a PE ratio of 24.65 and a beta of 1.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a quick ratio of 0.18 and a current ratio of 0.96. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $27.59 and a 200 day moving average price of $23.83.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage (NYSE:NGVC) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, August 8th. The specialty retailer reported $0.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The company had revenue of $309.08 million during the quarter. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage had a return on equity of 18.89% and a net margin of 2.54%. Equities research analysts expect that Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage will post 1.31 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. American Century Companies Inc. raised its position in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage by 28.3% in the second quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 304,382 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $6,453,000 after purchasing an additional 67,187 shares during the period. Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage by 14.7% during the 1st quarter. Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. now owns 190,318 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $3,435,000 after purchasing an additional 24,400 shares during the last quarter. Inspire Investing LLC purchased a new stake in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage in the 2nd quarter valued at about $353,000. Marshall Wace LLP lifted its position in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage by 49.3% in the second 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 last quarter. Finally, State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System purchased a new position in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage during the first quarter worth about $216,000. 31.99% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.