BNP Paribas Financial Markets Buys New Shares in National CineMedia, Inc. (NASDAQ:NCMI)

BNP Paribas Financial Markets acquired a new stake in shares of National CineMedia, Inc. (NASDAQ:NCMI) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 8,634 shares of the business services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $57,000.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in NCMI. Ranger Investment Management L.P. bought a new stake in National CineMedia in the 4th quarter worth about $4,058,000. Riverwater Partners LLC lifted its stake in National CineMedia by 296.7% in the 4th quarter. Riverwater Partners LLC now owns 270,307 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $1,795,000 after purchasing an additional 202,164 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its stake in National CineMedia by 126.3% in the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 273,711 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $1,817,000 after purchasing an additional 152,777 shares in the last quarter. Trexquant Investment LP purchased a new stake in National CineMedia in the 4th quarter worth approximately $988,000. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP raised its position in shares of National CineMedia by 4.8% during the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 2,923,516 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $19,412,000 after buying an additional 132,895 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 69.49% of the company’s stock.

National CineMedia Stock Down 7.3%

Shares of National CineMedia stock opened at $5.05 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03, a quick ratio of 2.46 and a current ratio of 2.46. The stock has a market capitalization of $476.24 million, a PE ratio of -20.20 and a beta of 2.12. National CineMedia, Inc. has a 52-week low of $4.12 and a 52-week high of $7.60. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $5.56 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $6.25.

National CineMedia (NASDAQ:NCMI) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, May 6th. The business services provider reported ($0.24) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.20) by ($0.04). The firm had revenue of $34.90 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $35.13 million. National CineMedia had a negative return on equity of 2.61% and a negative net margin of 9.49%. On average, analysts anticipate that National CineMedia, Inc. will post -0.12 EPS for the current fiscal year.

National CineMedia Cuts Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 16th were issued a $0.03 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 16th. This represents a $0.12 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.38%. National CineMedia’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -63.16%.

Insider Activity

In related news, major shareholder Blantyre Capital Ltd acquired 103,685 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 10th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $5.18 per share, with a total value of $537,088.30. Following the completion of the acquisition, the insider now directly owns 10,310,433 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $53,408,042.94. This trade represents a 1.02% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. 0.25% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

NCMI has been the topic of several research reports. William Blair restated a “neutral” rating and set a $7.50 price objective on shares of National CineMedia in a research report on Friday, March 7th. Benchmark reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $8.00 price target on shares of National CineMedia in a report on Friday, March 7th. B. Riley lowered shares of National CineMedia from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and set a $6.00 price target on the stock. in a report on Friday, May 16th. Barrington Research reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $7.00 target price on shares of National CineMedia in a research note on Friday, March 14th. Finally, Wedbush reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $7.50 price target on shares of National CineMedia in a research report on Thursday, May 1st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, National CineMedia presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $7.20.

About National CineMedia

National CineMedia, Inc, through its subsidiary, National CineMedia, LLC, operates cinema advertising network in North America. It engages in the sale of advertising to national, regional, and local businesses in Noovie, a cinema advertising and entertainment show seen on movie screens; and sells advertising on its Lobby Entertainment Network, a series of strategically-placed screens located in movie theater lobbies, as well as other forms of advertising and promotions in theatre lobbies.