National CineMedia, Inc. (NASDAQ:NCMI) Receives $7.20 Average Price Target from Analysts

Shares of National CineMedia, Inc. (NASDAQ:NCMI) have been given an average rating of “Moderate Buy” by the five analysts that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 12 month target price among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $7.20.

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Barrington Research reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $7.00 price target on shares of National CineMedia in a report on Friday, March 14th. Benchmark reissued a “buy” rating and set a $8.00 price target on shares of National CineMedia in a report on Friday, March 7th. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of National CineMedia from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Thursday, May 8th. Wedbush restated an “outperform” rating and issued a $7.50 price objective on shares of National CineMedia in a research report on Thursday, May 1st. Finally, B. Riley cut shares of National CineMedia from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and set a $6.00 price objective for the company. in a research report on Friday, May 16th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On National CineMedia

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in National CineMedia by 5.6% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 4,358,287 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $25,452,000 after buying an additional 232,702 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP increased its holdings in National CineMedia by 21.1% during the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 3,538,933 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $20,667,000 after buying an additional 615,417 shares during the last quarter. Sycale Advisors NY LLC acquired a new position in National CineMedia during the fourth quarter worth $14,147,000. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in National CineMedia by 1.0% during the fourth quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 728,915 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $4,840,000 after buying an additional 7,218 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Hudson Bay Capital Management LP acquired a new position in shares of National CineMedia in the fourth quarter valued at $4,546,000. 69.49% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

National CineMedia Stock Performance

NASDAQ:NCMI opened at $5.26 on Friday. National CineMedia has a 52 week low of $4.12 and a 52 week high of $7.60. The company has a market capitalization of $496.02 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -27.68 and a beta of 2.12. The company has a 50-day moving average of $5.41 and a 200-day moving average of $6.11.

National CineMedia (NASDAQ:NCMI) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 6th. The business services provider reported ($0.24) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.20) by ($0.04). National CineMedia had a negative net margin of 7.68% and a negative return on equity of 2.83%. The firm had revenue of $34.90 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $35.13 million. Sell-side analysts forecast that National CineMedia will post -0.12 EPS for the current year.

National CineMedia Cuts Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 30th. Investors of record on Friday, May 16th were issued a dividend of $0.03 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 16th. This represents a $0.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.28%. National CineMedia’s payout ratio is -63.16%.

About National CineMedia

National CineMedia, Inc, through its subsidiary, National CineMedia, LLC, operates cinema advertising network in North America. It engages in the sale of advertising to national, regional, and local businesses in Noovie, a cinema advertising and entertainment show seen on movie screens; and sells advertising on its Lobby Entertainment Network, a series of strategically-placed screens located in movie theater lobbies, as well as other forms of advertising and promotions in theatre lobbies.