Navigator (NYSE:NVGS) Lifted to Buy at Clarkson Capital

Clarkson Capital upgraded shares of Navigator (NYSE:NVGS) from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a report released on Thursday, MarketBeat Ratings reports. The brokerage currently has $20.00 price target on the shipping company’s stock.

A number of other research firms have also recently weighed in on NVGS. StockNews.com upgraded Navigator from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 21st. Jefferies Financial Group restated a buy rating and issued a $20.00 price target on shares of Navigator in a research note on Thursday, August 15th. Finally, Citigroup began coverage on Navigator in a research note on Wednesday, July 31st. They issued a buy rating and a $22.00 price target on the stock.

Navigator Stock Up 1.7 %

NVGS opened at $16.40 on Thursday. Navigator has a 1-year low of $13.21 and a 1-year high of $18.18. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $16.61 and its 200 day simple moving average is $16.01. The company has a current ratio of 1.15, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52. The stock has a market cap of $1.20 billion, a PE ratio of 14.02 and a beta of 1.51.

Navigator Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 24th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 3rd will be given a dividend of $0.05 per share. This represents a $0.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.22%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 3rd. Navigator’s payout ratio is 17.09%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Point72 Asset Management L.P. bought a new position in Navigator during the 2nd quarter worth $38,000. Quarry LP bought a new position in Navigator during the 2nd quarter worth $48,000. Millennium Management LLC increased its position in Navigator by 14.4% during the 2nd quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 661,288 shares of the shipping company’s stock worth $11,546,000 after buying an additional 83,344 shares during the period. Encompass Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Navigator in the second quarter worth $23,571,000. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP increased its position in shares of Navigator by 361.3% in the second quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 207,039 shares of the shipping company’s stock worth $3,615,000 after purchasing an additional 162,160 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 18.95% of the company’s stock.

Navigator Company Profile

Navigator Holdings Ltd. engages in owning and operating a fleet of liquefied gas carriers worldwide. It provides international and regional seaborne transportation services of petrochemical gases, liquefied petroleum gases, and ammonia for energy companies, industrial users, and commodity traders. The company also offers ship shore infrastructure and consultancy services.