Brokerages Set National Grid Transco, PLC (NYSE:NGG) PT at $80.40

Shares of National Grid Transco, PLC (NYSE:NGG) have received an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the eight analysts that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12 month target price among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $80.40.

NGG has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Citigroup reaffirmed a “neutral” rating on shares of National Grid Transco in a report on Tuesday, May 6th. Sanford C. Bernstein raised shares of National Grid Transco from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday, March 17th. Royal Bank Of Canada downgraded shares of National Grid Transco from an “outperform” rating to a “sector perform” rating in a report on Wednesday, May 28th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued a “buy” rating on shares of National Grid Transco in a report on Wednesday, May 21st. Finally, UBS Group downgraded shares of National Grid Transco from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, April 29th.

National Grid Transco Trading Down 0.3%

Shares of NGG opened at $70.80 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $69.28 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.62, a PEG ratio of 6.14 and a beta of 0.63. 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 firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $71.76 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $64.97. National Grid Transco has a twelve month low of $53.65 and a twelve month high of $73.03.

National Grid Transco Cuts Dividend

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

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in NGG. Whipplewood Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in National Grid Transco in the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of National Grid Transco in the first quarter valued at $28,000. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. acquired a new stake in National Grid Transco in the first quarter worth about $29,000. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. grew its position in shares of National Grid Transco by 67.6% during the 4th quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 491 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 198 shares during the period. Finally, Capital Analysts LLC lifted its stake in National Grid Transco by 33.6% in the 1st quarter. Capital Analysts LLC now owns 640 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $42,000 after acquiring an additional 161 shares in the last quarter. 4.68% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About National Grid Transco

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.