Navigator (NYSE:NVGS) Upgraded by StockNews.com to “Buy” Rating

StockNews.com upgraded shares of Navigator (NYSE:NVGS) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report published on Friday.

Several other research analysts also recently weighed in on NVGS. Clarkson Capital raised shares of Navigator from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $20.00 target price on the stock in a research report on Thursday, August 22nd. Citigroup initiated coverage on Navigator in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. They set a “buy” rating and a $22.00 price target on the stock. DNB Markets started coverage on shares of Navigator in a research report on Thursday, September 12th. They set a “buy” rating and a $22.00 price objective on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $20.00 price objective on shares of Navigator in a research report on Thursday. Finally, Alliance Global Partners started coverage on Navigator in a research note on Monday, October 28th. They set a “buy” rating and a $24.00 price target for the company. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $21.60.

Navigator Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:NVGS opened at $15.61 on Friday. Navigator has a 12 month low of $13.72 and a 12 month high of $18.18. The stock has a market cap of $1.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.81 and a beta of 1.50. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $15.97 and its 200 day moving average price is $16.34. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45, a current ratio of 0.75 and a quick ratio of 1.13.

Navigator (NYSE:NVGS) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 14th. The shipping company reported $0.34 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.32 by $0.02. Navigator had a return on equity of 7.40% and a net margin of 14.48%. The company had revenue of $129.55 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $117.92 million. Equities research analysts anticipate that Navigator will post 1.28 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Navigator Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 25th will be issued a dividend of $0.05 per share. This represents a $0.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.28%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 25th. Navigator’s payout ratio is 17.70%.

Institutional Trading of Navigator

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Encompass Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Navigator during the second quarter valued at approximately $23,571,000. Acadian Asset Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Navigator by 145.7% during the 1st quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 1,086,016 shares of the shipping company’s stock worth $16,641,000 after buying an additional 644,011 shares during the period. Graham Capital Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Navigator in the 3rd quarter valued at $3,444,000. Marshall Wace LLP grew its position in Navigator by 361.3% in the second quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 207,039 shares of the shipping company’s stock valued at $3,615,000 after acquiring an additional 162,160 shares during the period. Finally, Renaissance Technologies LLC raised its stake in Navigator by 15.8% during the second quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 787,700 shares of the shipping company’s stock worth $13,753,000 after acquiring an additional 107,300 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 18.95% of the company’s stock.

Navigator Company Profile

Navigator Holdings Ltd. engages in owning and operating a fleet of liquefied gas carriers worldwide. It provides international and regional seaborne transportation services of petrochemical gases, liquefied petroleum gases, and ammonia for energy companies, industrial users, and commodity traders. The company also offers ship shore infrastructure and consultancy services.