National Grid plc (NYSE:NGG) Given Consensus Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts

Shares of National Grid plc (NYSE:NGG) have been given an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by the seven research firms that are covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company.

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. UBS Group downgraded shares of National Grid from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 29th. Citigroup reiterated a “neutral” rating on shares of National Grid in a research note on Tuesday, May 6th. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of National Grid from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research note on Friday, May 16th. Sanford C. Bernstein upgraded shares of National Grid from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, March 17th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada downgraded shares of National Grid from an “outperform” rating to a “sector perform” rating in a research report on Wednesday.

National Grid Trading Down 2.6%

Shares of NYSE:NGG opened at $72.74 on Friday. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $69.55 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $63.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.18, a current ratio of 1.61 and a quick ratio of 1.54. National Grid has a one year low of $54.24 and a one year high of $74.82. The stock has a market capitalization of $71.17 billion, a PE ratio of 13.99, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.64 and a beta of 0.63.

National Grid Cuts Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 30th will be given a dividend of $2.0345 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 30th. This represents a yield of 4.7%. National Grid’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 78.08%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Whipplewood Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of National Grid during the fourth quarter worth approximately $25,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in National Grid in the first quarter valued at approximately $28,000. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. bought a new position in National Grid in the first quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. increased its stake in National Grid by 67.6% in the fourth quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 491 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 198 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Capital Analysts LLC increased its stake in National Grid by 33.6% in the first quarter. Capital Analysts LLC now owns 640 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $42,000 after acquiring an additional 161 shares during the last quarter. 4.68% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About National Grid

National Grid plc transmits and distributes electricity and gas. It operates through UK Electricity Transmission, UK Electricity Distribution, UK Electricity System Operator, New England, New York, National Grid Ventures, and Other segments. The UK Electricity Transmission segment provides electricity transmission and construction work services in England and Wales.