Cerity Partners LLC Boosts Stake in National Grid Transco, PLC (NYSE:NGG)

Cerity Partners LLC grew its holdings in National Grid Transco, PLC (NYSE:NGG) by 48.7% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 48,188 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 15,778 shares during the period. Cerity Partners LLC’s holdings in National Grid Transco were worth $3,162,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the business. Golden State Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of National Grid Transco in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. increased its holdings in National Grid Transco by 67.6% in the 4th quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 491 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 198 shares during the last quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. acquired a new stake in National Grid Transco in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp purchased a new stake in National Grid Transco in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $53,000. Finally, Sound Income Strategies LLC lifted its stake in National Grid Transco by 197.3% during the first quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 877 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $58,000 after purchasing an additional 582 shares in the last quarter. 4.68% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

National Grid Transco Stock Performance

NYSE NGG opened at $71.57 on Friday. The company has a fifty day moving average of $71.76 and a two-hundred day moving average of $66.66. The company has a market capitalization of $70.03 billion, a PE ratio of 13.76, a P/E/G ratio of 1.61 and a beta of 0.63. National Grid Transco, PLC has a 1 year low of $54.24 and a 1 year high of $74.58. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.13, a current ratio of 1.35 and a quick ratio of 1.30.

National Grid Transco Cuts Dividend

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

NGG has been the subject of a number of research reports. BNP Paribas upgraded shares of National Grid Transco from an “outperform” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Thursday, May 29th. Barclays restated an “overweight” rating on shares of National Grid Transco in a research note on Friday, May 16th. Citigroup reaffirmed a “neutral” rating on shares of National Grid Transco in a research report on Tuesday, May 6th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of National Grid Transco in a report on Wednesday, May 21st. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded National Grid Transco from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Friday, May 16th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target 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.