National Grid plc (NYSE:NGG) Shares Acquired by Two Sigma Investments LP

Two Sigma Investments LP lifted its stake in shares of National Grid plc (NYSE:NGG) by 8.9% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 5,100 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 417 shares during the period. Two Sigma Investments LP’s holdings in National Grid were worth $303,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the stock. IFP Advisors Inc boosted its stake in shares of National Grid by 20.0% during the fourth quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 1,043 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $62,000 after acquiring an additional 174 shares during the last quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC boosted its stake in shares of National Grid by 36.2% during the fourth quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC now owns 723 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $43,000 after acquiring an additional 192 shares during the last quarter. Verdence Capital Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of National Grid by 0.8% during the fourth quarter. Verdence Capital Advisors LLC now owns 23,925 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $1,422,000 after acquiring an additional 196 shares during the last quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. boosted its stake in shares of National Grid by 67.6% during 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, Two Sigma Advisers LP boosted its stake in shares of National Grid by 1.6% during the fourth quarter. Two Sigma Advisers LP now owns 12,500 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $743,000 after acquiring an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 4.68% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

NGG has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. UBS Group lowered National Grid from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 29th. BNP Paribas Exane initiated coverage on National Grid in a research note on Thursday, May 29th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $80.40 price target on the stock. Citigroup reissued a “neutral” rating on shares of National Grid in a research note on Tuesday, May 6th. Barclays reissued an “overweight” rating on shares of National Grid in a research note on Friday, May 16th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued a “buy” rating on shares of National Grid in a research note on Wednesday, May 21st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, National Grid has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $80.40.

National Grid Stock Performance

NYSE NGG opened at $71.16 on Wednesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $69.63 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.69, a P/E/G ratio of 5.64 and a beta of 0.63. National Grid plc has a 1-year low of $52.70 and a 1-year high of $72.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.18, a current ratio of 1.61 and a quick ratio of 1.54. The business’s 50-day simple moving average is $70.68 and its 200-day simple moving average is $64.51.

National Grid Cuts Dividend

The company also recently disclosed 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 is Friday, May 30th. National Grid’s dividend payout ratio is currently 78.08%.

National Grid 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.