National CineMedia, Inc. (NASDAQ:NCMI) Receives Average Rating of “Hold” from Analysts

National CineMedia, Inc. (NASDAQ:NCMI) has received a consensus rating of “Hold” from the seven ratings firms that are covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, three have issued a hold recommendation and three have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $6.00.

Several brokerages have recently commented on NCMI. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “sell (d-)” rating on shares of National CineMedia in a research note on Monday, December 29th. B. Riley decreased their target price on shares of National CineMedia from $5.00 to $4.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday. Wall Street Zen raised shares of National CineMedia from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Sunday, November 9th. Barrington Research reduced their price target on shares of National CineMedia from $7.00 to $6.50 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Finally, Benchmark decreased their price objective on shares of National CineMedia from $7.00 to $6.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 7th.

National CineMedia Stock Performance

NCMI stock opened at $3.75 on Monday. National CineMedia has a one year low of $3.68 and a one year high of $7.25. The firm has a market cap of $351.86 million, a PE ratio of -25.00 and a beta of 1.35. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $3.98 and its 200-day moving average price is $4.32.

National CineMedia Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 26th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 10th were paid a dividend of $0.03 per share. This represents a $0.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.2%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 10th. National CineMedia’s dividend payout ratio is -80.00%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, EVP Maria Vg Woods sold 9,043 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $3.89, for a total value of $35,177.27. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 129,330 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $503,093.70. This trade represents a 6.54% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 1.40% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On National CineMedia

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in NCMI. Strs Ohio acquired a new position in shares of National CineMedia during the 1st quarter worth about $43,000. Quantbot Technologies LP purchased a new stake in National CineMedia during the third quarter worth approximately $34,000. BNP Paribas Financial Markets lifted its stake in National CineMedia by 103.2% during the third quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 12,895 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $58,000 after purchasing an additional 6,549 shares during the last quarter. Inscription Capital LLC acquired a new position in National CineMedia in the third quarter valued at approximately $58,000. Finally, Legal & General Group Plc increased its stake in National CineMedia by 137.1% in the second quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 14,327 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $69,000 after purchasing an additional 8,285 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 69.49% of the company’s stock.

About National CineMedia

National CineMedia, Inc is a leading U.S. out-of-home media company specializing in cinema advertising. The firm operates a proprietary network that delivers high-impact advertising content to moviegoers across a broad footprint of theaters, offering brands a targeted and immersive way to engage audiences in a captive, distraction-free environment.

Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Centennial, Colorado, National CineMedia began as a joint venture among several major exhibition chains.