Wedge Capital Management L L P NC Buys New Position in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. $NGVC

Wedge Capital Management L L P NC bought a new stake in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE:NGVC) in the second quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund bought 53,444 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock, valued at approximately $1,658,000.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. NewEdge Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage by 105.2% during the 4th quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 1,110 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 569 shares in the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC boosted its holdings in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage by 136.5% in the second quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 1,114 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $44,000 after acquiring an additional 643 shares in the last quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage by 130.9% in the third quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 1,307 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $52,000 after acquiring an additional 741 shares in the last quarter. Copeland Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $63,000. Finally, Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage during the second quarter valued at approximately $63,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 31.99% of the company’s stock.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Price Performance

Shares of NYSE NGVC opened at $28.20 on Friday. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. has a twelve month low of $23.47 and a twelve month high of $41.58. The company has a current ratio of 1.10, a quick ratio of 0.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. The company has a market capitalization of $649.92 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.69 and a beta of 1.33. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $31.32 and a two-hundred day moving average of $28.45.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 2nd. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 17th will be paid a $0.15 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 17th. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.1%. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage’s payout ratio is currently 29.13%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts recently commented on NGVC shares. Weiss Ratings raised Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage from a “hold (c)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a report on Wednesday, May 27th. Wall Street Zen lowered Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, May 2nd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $47.00.

Insider Activity at Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage

In related news, insider Charity Isely sold 3,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $29.04, for a total value of $87,120.00. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 10,697 shares in the company, valued at $310,640.88. The trade was a 21.90% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 58.30% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Profile

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc operates a chain of specialty grocery stores focused on natural and organic products. Founded in 1955 by Margaret and Philip Isely in Lakewood, Colorado, the company has built a reputation on strict product standards, including certified organic produce, non-GMO groceries and dietary supplements. Natural Grocers emphasizes whole, unprocessed foods and carries a broad assortment of private-label and national brands that meet its quality guidelines.

The company’s core offerings include fresh fruits and vegetables, bulk foods, vitamins, minerals and nutritional supplements, as well as natural body care and household items.