Empowered Funds LLC Has $440,000 Position in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE:NGVC)

Empowered Funds LLC trimmed its holdings in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE:NGVC) by 70.7% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 14,812 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock after selling 35,696 shares during the period. Empowered Funds LLC’s holdings in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage were worth $440,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of NGVC. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its stake 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 acquiring an additional 67,187 shares during the last quarter. Inspire Investing LLC acquired a new stake in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage in the 2nd quarter valued at about $353,000. Marshall Wace LLP lifted its stake in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage by 49.3% in the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 43,437 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $921,000 after purchasing an additional 14,338 shares during the last quarter. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System acquired a new position in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage during the first quarter worth approximately $216,000. Finally, Privium Fund Management B.V. acquired a new position in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage during the third quarter worth approximately $326,000. Institutional investors own 31.99% of the company’s stock.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:NGVC opened at $45.60 on Monday. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. has a 1 year low of $14.31 and a 1 year high of $45.61. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.81 and a beta of 1.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a current ratio of 0.96 and a quick ratio of 0.18. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $29.36 and its 200 day simple moving average is $25.34.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 18th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 2nd will be issued a dividend of $0.12 per share. This is a boost from Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.10. This represents a $0.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.05%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 2nd. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage’s payout ratio is 27.03%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

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

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.