National Grid (NYSE:NGG) Shares Gap Down to $70.05

National Grid plc (NYSE:NGG) shares gapped down before the market opened on Thursday . The stock had previously closed at $70.05, but opened at $68.25. National Grid shares last traded at $67.93, with a volume of 60,524 shares trading hands.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on NGG shares. Citigroup raised National Grid from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, June 3rd. The Goldman Sachs Group raised National Grid from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 12th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy”.

National Grid Stock Performance

The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $65.35 and its 200-day moving average price is $64.63. The company has a market capitalization of $55.17 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.25, a P/E/G ratio of 4.81 and a beta of 0.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.41, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a current ratio of 0.91.

Institutional Trading of National Grid

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of NGG. Mayflower Financial Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of National Grid by 4.5% during the first quarter. Mayflower Financial Advisors LLC now owns 3,681 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $251,000 after purchasing an additional 160 shares during the last quarter. RFP Financial Group LLC grew its position in National Grid by 119.8% in the 1st quarter. RFP Financial Group LLC now owns 367 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. Profund Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of National Grid by 3.0% during the second quarter. Profund Advisors LLC now owns 7,003 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $398,000 after buying an additional 203 shares during the last quarter. Dearborn Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of National Grid by 5.5% in the 1st quarter. Dearborn Partners LLC now owns 4,120 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $281,000 after acquiring an additional 213 shares during the period. Finally, Bailard Inc. lifted its position in National Grid by 4.4% in the second quarter. Bailard Inc. now owns 5,116 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $291,000 after purchasing an additional 217 shares during the period. 4.68% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About National Grid

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.