Short Interest in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE:NGVC) Drops By 40.1%

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE:NGVC) was the target of a large decrease in short interest in the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 864,011 shares, a decrease of 40.1% from the December 15th total of 1,441,265 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 313,607 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.8 days. Currently, 9.1% of the shares of the company are short sold. Currently, 9.1% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 313,607 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.8 days.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have commented on the stock. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, October 25th. Finally, Northcoast Research set a $54.00 price target on shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $54.00.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Price Performance

NYSE NGVC traded down $0.23 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $26.66. The company had a trading volume of 241,651 shares, compared to its average volume of 236,196. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $26.89 and a 200-day moving average price of $34.35. The company has a market capitalization of $613.94 million, a PE ratio of 13.33 and a beta of 1.30. The company has a current ratio of 1.06, a quick ratio of 0.22 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage has a twelve month low of $23.47 and a twelve month high of $61.22.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage (NYSE:NGVC) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 20th. The specialty retailer reported $0.51 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.42 by $0.09. The company had revenue of $336.14 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $348.11 million. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage had a return on equity of 23.75% and a net margin of 3.49%.Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.000-2.15 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage will post 1.61 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 10th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 1st were issued a dividend of $0.15 per share. This is a boost from Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.12. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 1st. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.3%. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage’s payout ratio is currently 30.00%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in NGVC. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. boosted its holdings in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage by 4.4% in the 1st quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 5,600 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $225,000 after purchasing an additional 234 shares in the last quarter. New York State Teachers Retirement System grew its position in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage by 36.2% in the third quarter. New York State Teachers Retirement System now owns 1,154 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $46,000 after acquiring an additional 307 shares during the last quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC raised its stake in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage by 5.7% during the second quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 6,035 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $237,000 after acquiring an additional 324 shares in the last quarter. Ameritas Investment Partners Inc. raised its stake in Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage by 48.9% during the second quarter. Ameritas Investment Partners Inc. now owns 1,303 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $51,000 after acquiring an additional 428 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage by 6.8% in the second quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 7,226 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $284,000 after acquiring an additional 462 shares during the last quarter. 31.99% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage

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.