Navigator (NYSE:NVGS) Receives “Buy” Rating from Jefferies Financial Group

Jefferies Financial Group reissued their buy rating on shares of Navigator (NYSE:NVGS) in a research note released on Friday,Benzinga reports. They currently have a $20.00 target price on the shipping company’s stock.

Other analysts have also issued research reports about the stock. DNB Markets initiated coverage on shares of Navigator in a research note on Thursday, September 12th. They set a “buy” rating and a $22.00 price objective on the stock. Alliance Global Partners initiated coverage on shares of Navigator in a research note on Monday, October 28th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $24.00 price target for the company. Citigroup initiated coverage on shares of Navigator in a research note on Wednesday, July 31st. They set a “buy” rating and a $22.00 target price for the company. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Navigator from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, November 8th. Finally, Clarkson Capital upgraded shares of Navigator from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $20.00 target price for the company in a research note on Thursday, August 22nd. Six analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $21.60.

Navigator Trading Down 2.4 %

Shares of NVGS stock opened at $15.88 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $1.16 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.44 and a beta of 1.50. The company has a quick ratio of 0.71, a current ratio of 0.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45. Navigator has a fifty-two week low of $13.85 and a fifty-two week high of $18.18. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $16.03 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $16.38.

Navigator Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 25th will be issued a dividend of $0.05 per share. This represents a $0.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.26%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 25th. Navigator’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 17.70%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Navigator

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Encompass Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Navigator in the second quarter worth about $23,571,000. Acadian Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in Navigator by 32.8% in the second quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 1,442,150 shares of the shipping company’s stock worth $25,146,000 after purchasing an additional 356,134 shares during the period. Graham Capital Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Navigator in the third quarter worth about $3,444,000. First Sabrepoint Capital Management LP acquired a new stake in Navigator in the third quarter worth about $2,994,000. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP lifted its holdings in 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 and hedge funds own 18.95% of the company’s stock.

About Navigator

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.