Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE:NGVC) Short Interest Down 25.0% in December

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE:NGVC) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest in December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 132,800 shares, a decline of 25.0% from the November 30th total of 177,100 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 107,100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.2 days. Approximately 1.8% of the shares of the stock are short sold.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Stock Down 2.5 %

NGVC traded down $1.02 during trading on Friday, hitting $39.28. The company had a trading volume of 77,428 shares, compared to its average volume of 79,822. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $36.95 and its 200 day moving average price is $29.08. The company has a quick ratio of 0.18, a current ratio of 0.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36. The company has a market capitalization of $899.75 million, a PE ratio of 26.54 and a beta of 1.40. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage has a one year low of $14.31 and a one year high of $47.56.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 18th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 2nd were given a dividend of $0.12 per share. This represents a $0.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.22%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 2nd. This is an increase from Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.10. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage’s payout ratio is 32.43%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage news, insider Charity Isely sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $43.73, for a total transaction of $87,460.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 12,290 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $537,441.70. This represents a 14.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider Lark Isely sold 4,000 shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $44.66, for a total transaction of $178,640.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 8,682 shares in the company, valued at approximately $387,738.12. This represents a 31.54 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 59.40% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of NGVC. Virtus Investment Advisers Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage during the third quarter worth $126,000. CreativeOne Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage in the 3rd quarter valued at $202,000. Hancock Whitney Corp bought a new position in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage in the 3rd quarter worth about $214,000. Privium Fund Management B.V. acquired a new position in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage in the third quarter valued at approximately $326,000. Finally, Inspire Investing LLC bought a new position in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage during the second quarter worth $353,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 31.99% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, StockNews.com raised shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Friday, November 22nd.

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.