Stephens Inc. AR Raises Position in National Grid Transco, PLC (NYSE:NGG)

Stephens Inc. AR increased its stake in shares of National Grid Transco, PLC (NYSE:NGG) by 16.9% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 10,488 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after buying an additional 1,515 shares during the period. Stephens Inc. AR’s holdings in National Grid Transco were worth $688,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in NGG. Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in National Grid Transco during the first quarter worth about $28,000. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. increased its position in National Grid Transco by 67.6% during the fourth quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 491 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 198 shares during the last quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. acquired a new position in National Grid Transco during the first quarter worth approximately $29,000. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp acquired a new position in National Grid Transco during the fourth quarter worth approximately $53,000. Finally, Sound Income Strategies LLC increased its position in shares of National Grid Transco by 197.3% in the first quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 877 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $58,000 after acquiring an additional 582 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 4.68% of the company’s stock.

National Grid Transco Trading Up 0.5%

Shares of National Grid Transco stock opened at $71.21 on Friday. National Grid Transco, PLC has a 12-month low of $54.24 and a 12-month high of $74.58. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $71.74 and a 200 day simple moving average of $66.58. The company has a quick ratio of 1.30, a current ratio of 1.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.13. The stock has a market capitalization of $69.67 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.69, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 0.63.

National Grid Transco Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 30th will be paid a $2.0345 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 4.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 30th. National Grid Transco’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 78.27%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

NGG has been the subject of several analyst reports. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of National Grid Transco from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research note on Friday, May 16th. UBS Group downgraded shares of National Grid Transco from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 29th. Royal Bank Of Canada downgraded shares of National Grid Transco from an “outperform” rating to a “sector perform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 28th. BNP Paribas Exane started coverage on shares of National Grid Transco in a research note on Thursday, May 29th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $80.40 price objective on the stock. Finally, BNP Paribas raised shares of National Grid Transco from an “outperform” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, May 29th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating, four have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, National Grid Transco has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $80.40.

National Grid Transco Company Profile

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.