Navigator’s (NVGS) Buy Rating Reiterated at Jefferies Financial Group

Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed their buy rating on shares of Navigator (NYSE:NVGS) in a report issued on Friday morning,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a $20.00 target price on the shipping company’s stock.

A number of other research firms have also recently weighed in on NVGS. Citigroup began coverage on shares of Navigator in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. They issued a “buy” rating and a $22.00 price target on the stock. DNB Markets assumed coverage on shares of Navigator in a report on Thursday, September 12th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $22.00 price target on the stock. Clarkson Capital upgraded Navigator from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $20.00 price objective for the company in a report on Thursday, August 22nd. StockNews.com raised Navigator from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, November 8th. Finally, Alliance Global Partners started coverage on Navigator in a research report on Monday, October 28th. They set a “buy” rating and a $24.00 target price on the stock. Six analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Navigator has a consensus rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $21.60.

Navigator Stock Performance

Shares of NVGS stock opened at $16.32 on Friday. The company’s 50 day moving average is $16.03 and its 200 day moving average is $16.38. The company has a quick ratio of 0.71, a current ratio of 0.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45. The firm has a market cap of $1.19 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.44 and a beta of 1.50. Navigator has a 52-week low of $13.85 and a 52-week high of $18.18.

Navigator Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 25th will be paid a dividend of $0.05 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 25th. This represents a $0.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.23%. Navigator’s payout ratio is presently 17.70%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Navigator

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. SG Americas Securities LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Navigator by 9.1% in the 3rd quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 8,221 shares of the shipping company’s stock valued at $132,000 after buying an additional 684 shares during the period. Quarry LP boosted its position in Navigator by 61.0% in the 3rd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 4,383 shares of the shipping company’s stock worth $70,000 after purchasing an additional 1,661 shares in the last quarter. Barclays PLC increased its holdings in shares of Navigator by 10.7% during the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 19,640 shares of the shipping company’s stock valued at $316,000 after purchasing an additional 1,895 shares in the last quarter. Tectonic Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Navigator by 3.5% in the 3rd quarter. Tectonic Advisors LLC now owns 63,900 shares of the shipping company’s stock valued at $1,027,000 after purchasing an additional 2,152 shares during the period. Finally, Point72 Asset Management L.P. purchased a new stake in Navigator during the second quarter worth $38,000. 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.