Short Interest in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE:NGVC) Rises By 52.2%

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE:NGVC) saw a large increase in short interest during the month of February. As of February 15th, there was short interest totalling 277,100 shares, an increase of 52.2% from the January 31st total of 182,100 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 141,500 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.0 days. Approximately 3.8% of the company’s stock are short sold.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, StockNews.com lowered Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, January 13th.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Stock Performance

NGVC stock traded down $0.40 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $41.73. 291,373 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 155,580. The stock has a market capitalization of $956.80 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.58 and a beta of 1.43. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage has a 52 week low of $15.82 and a 52 week high of $50.91. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $43.17 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $35.80. The company has a quick ratio of 0.15, a current ratio of 0.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage (NYSE:NGVC) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 6th. The specialty retailer reported $0.43 earnings per share for the quarter. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage had a net margin of 2.84% and a return on equity of 21.12%. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage will post 1.61 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 19th. Investors of record on Monday, March 3rd will be given a dividend of $0.12 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 3rd. This represents a $0.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.15%. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage’s dividend payout ratio is currently 30.57%.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Charity Isely sold 2,000 shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $43.73, for a total value of $87,460.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 12,290 shares in the company, valued at approximately $537,441.70. This trade represents a 14.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Company insiders own 58.80% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of NGVC. Lord Abbett & CO. LLC lifted its position in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage by 64.7% in the 3rd quarter. Lord Abbett & CO. LLC now owns 449,007 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $13,331,000 after purchasing an additional 176,361 shares during the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP raised its holdings in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage by 516.0% during the fourth quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 209,564 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $8,324,000 after buying an additional 175,545 shares during the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage by 1,190.6% during the fourth quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 162,130 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $6,440,000 after buying an additional 149,568 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP acquired a new position in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage during the fourth quarter worth approximately $5,444,000. Finally, Tudor Investment Corp ET AL grew its holdings in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage by 210.3% in the 4th quarter. Tudor Investment Corp ET AL now owns 80,822 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $3,210,000 after buying an additional 54,773 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 31.99% of the company’s stock.

About Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage

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.