National Grid Transco, PLC (NYSE:NGG) Shares Purchased by Cerity Partners LLC

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

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Golden State Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of National Grid Transco during the 1st quarter worth approximately $28,000. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of National Grid Transco in the first quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. grew its holdings in National Grid Transco by 67.6% during the fourth quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 491 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 198 shares during the period. Sound Income Strategies LLC raised its position in National Grid Transco by 197.3% in the first quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 877 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $58,000 after acquiring an additional 582 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp purchased a new position in National Grid Transco in the fourth quarter worth $53,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 4.68% of the company’s stock.

National Grid Transco Stock Up 0.6%

NGG stock opened at $71.57 on Friday. National Grid Transco, PLC has a one year low of $54.24 and a one year high of $74.58. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $71.76 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $66.66. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.13, a quick ratio of 1.30 and a current ratio of 1.35. The stock has a market capitalization of $70.03 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.76, a PEG ratio of 1.61 and a beta of 0.63.

National Grid Transco Cuts Dividend

The business also recently disclosed 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 is Friday, May 30th. This represents a dividend yield of 4.7%. National Grid Transco’s payout ratio is currently 78.27%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts recently commented on the stock. UBS Group downgraded shares of National Grid Transco from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, April 29th. Barclays reaffirmed an “overweight” rating on shares of National Grid Transco in a report on Friday, May 16th. BNP Paribas raised National Grid Transco from an “outperform” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, May 29th. Wall Street Zen cut National Grid Transco from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Friday, May 16th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a “buy” rating on shares of National Grid Transco in a research report on Wednesday, May 21st. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $80.40.

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.