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NGVC Stock Analysis 2026 - Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. AI Rating

NGVC NYSE Retail-Grocery Stores DE CIK: 0001547459
Recently Updated • Analysis: Apr 13, 2026 • SEC Data: 2025-12-31
HOLD
58% Conf
Pending
Analysis scheduled

📊 NGVC Key Takeaways

Revenue: $335.6M
Net Margin: 3.4%
Free Cash Flow: $11.6M
Current Ratio: 1.07x
Debt/Equity: 0.04x
EPS: $0.49
AI Rating: HOLD with 58% confidence

Is NGVC a Good Investment? Thesis Analysis

Claude

Natural Grocers demonstrates stable fundamentals with strong balance sheet health (minimal debt, 20.5x interest coverage) and positive free cash flow generation ($11.6M). However, flat net income growth (0.0% YoY) despite 7.2% revenue expansion signals margin compression, and critically tight liquidity (1.07x current ratio) limits financial flexibility in a capital-intensive business.

Why Buy NGVC? Key Strengths

Claude
  • + Solid revenue growth of 7.2% YoY in mature grocery sector
  • + Conservative balance sheet with minimal debt (D/E 0.04x) and strong interest coverage (20.5x)
  • + Consistent positive free cash flow generation despite low margins, indicating operational discipline
  • + Growing EPS (+36.1% YoY) demonstrating shareholder-friendly capital allocation

NGVC Investment Risks to Consider

Claude
  • ! Earnings growth stalled (0.0% YoY net income) despite revenue expansion indicating deteriorating profitability
  • ! Dangerously tight liquidity with current ratio of 1.07x vulnerable to operational disruptions or seasonal variations
  • ! Very low profit margins (4.4% operating, 3.4% net) leave minimal buffer for cost pressures or competition
  • ! Poor capital efficiency with only 5.2% ROE and 1.7% ROA suggests value destruction relative to capital deployed
  • ! Modest free cash flow ($11.6M) relative to revenue scale limits reinvestment capacity

Key Metrics to Watch

Claude
  • * Gross margin trend - monitor for further compression signaling pricing power loss
  • * Operating expense ratio - key to understanding if revenue growth can translate to earnings expansion
  • * Current ratio and working capital management - improve liquidity cushion for sustainability
  • * Operating cash flow conversion - ensure operational performance continues funding capex and obligations

NGVC Financial Metrics

Revenue
$335.6M
Net Income
$11.3M
EPS (Diluted)
$0.49
Free Cash Flow
$11.6M
Total Assets
$668.6M
Cash Position
$23.2M

💡 AI Analyst Insight

The relatively thin 3.4% FCF margin may limit capital allocation flexibility.

NGVC Profitability Ratios

Gross Margin 29.5%
Operating Margin 4.4%
Net Margin 3.4%
ROE 5.2%
ROA 1.7%
FCF Margin 3.4%

NGVC vs Consumer Sector

How Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. compares to Consumer sector averages

Net Margin
NGVC 3.4%
vs
Sector Avg 8.0%
NGVC Sector
ROE
NGVC 5.2%
vs
Sector Avg 18.0%
NGVC Sector
Current Ratio
NGVC 1.1x
vs
Sector Avg 1.5x
NGVC Sector
Debt/Equity
NGVC 0.0x
vs
Sector Avg 0.8x
NGVC Sector

Sector benchmarks are approximate industry averages. Actual sector performance may vary.

Is NGVC Overvalued or Undervalued?

Based on fundamental analysis, Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. has mixed fundamental signals relative to the Consumer sector in 2026.

Return on Equity
5.2%
Sector avg: 18%
Net Profit Margin
3.4%
Sector avg: 8%
Revenue Growth
N/A
Year-over-year
Debt/Equity
0.04x
Sector avg: 0.8x

Note: This is a fundamental analysis based on SEC filings. For P/E ratio, price targets, and market-based valuation, consult financial data providers. This is not investment advice.

NGVC Balance Sheet & Liquidity

Current Ratio
1.07x
Quick Ratio
1.07x
Debt/Equity
0.04x
Debt/Assets
67.1%
Interest Coverage
20.54x
Long-term Debt
$8.9M

NGVC 5-Year Financial Trend & Growth Analysis

NGVC 5-year financial data: Year 2021: Revenue $1.1B, Net Income $9.4M, EPS $0.42. Year 2022: Revenue $1.1B, Net Income $20.0M, EPS $0.89. Year 2023: Revenue $1.1B, Net Income $20.6M, EPS $0.91. Year 2024: Revenue $1.2B, Net Income $21.4M, EPS $0.94. Year 2025: Revenue $1.3B, Net Income $23.2M, EPS $1.02.
Revenue
Net Income
EPS (right axis)

5-Year Trend Summary: Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc.'s revenue has grown significantly by 26% over the 5-year period, indicating strong business expansion. The most recent EPS of $1.02 reflects profitable operations.

NGVC Growth Metrics (YoY)

Revenue Growth
N/A
Year-over-year
Net Income Growth
N/A
Year-over-year
EPS Growth
N/A
Earnings per share
FCF Margin
3.4%
Free cash flow / Revenue

NGVC Quarterly Performance

Quarterly financial performance data for Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. including revenue, net income, and earnings per share.
Quarter Revenue Net Income EPS
Q1 2026 $330.2M $9.9M $0.43
Q3 2025 $309.1M $7.8M $0.40
Q2 2025 $308.1M $7.8M $0.35
Q1 2025 $301.8M $7.8M $0.34
Q3 2024 $281.8M $4.4M $0.31
Q2 2024 $283.2M $5.9M $0.26
Q3 2023 $266.3M $3.9M $0.17
Q2 2023 $271.8M $4.4M $0.26

Data sourced from SEC EDGAR 10-Q quarterly filings. Figures may represent quarterly or cumulative values.

NGVC Capital Allocation

Operating Cash Flow
$21.1M
Cash generated from operations
Capital Expenditures
$9.6M
Investment in assets
Dividends Paid
$3.5M
Returned to shareholders

NGVC SEC 10-K & 10-Q Filing Analysis

Access official SEC EDGAR filings for Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (CIK: 0001547459)

📋 Recent SEC Filings

Date Form Document Action
Mar 10, 2026 8-K ngvc20260306_8k.htm View →
Mar 6, 2026 4 xslF345X05/rdgdoc.xml View →
Mar 6, 2026 4 xslF345X05/rdgdoc.xml View →
Mar 6, 2026 4 xslF345X05/rdgdoc.xml View →
Feb 5, 2026 8-K ngvc20260203_8k.htm View →

Frequently Asked Questions about NGVC

What is the AI rating for NGVC?

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NGVC) has an AI rating of HOLD with 58% confidence, based on fundamental analysis of SEC EDGAR filings.

What are NGVC's key strengths?

Claude: Solid revenue growth of 7.2% YoY in mature grocery sector. Conservative balance sheet with minimal debt (D/E 0.04x) and strong interest coverage (20.5x).

What are the risks of investing in NGVC?

Claude: Earnings growth stalled (0.0% YoY net income) despite revenue expansion indicating deteriorating profitability. Dangerously tight liquidity with current ratio of 1.07x vulnerable to operational disruptions or seasonal variations.

What is NGVC's revenue and growth?

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. reported revenue of $335.6M.

Does NGVC pay dividends?

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. pays dividends, with $3.5M distributed to shareholders in the trailing twelve months.

Where can I find NGVC SEC filings?

Official SEC filings for Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (CIK: 0001547459) including 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K reports are available on SEC EDGAR.

What is NGVC's EPS?

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. has a diluted EPS of $0.49.

How is the AI analysis conducted?

Two independent AI systems — Claude (Anthropic) and ChatGPT (OpenAI) — analyze SEC EDGAR filings including 10-K annual reports and 10-Q quarterly reports. Each AI evaluates financial health, profitability ratios, balance sheet strength, and growth metrics. The combined rating reflects both perspectives for balanced insights.

Is NGVC a good stock to buy right now?

Based on our AI fundamental analysis in April 2026, Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. has a HOLD rating with 58% confidence. Review the strengths and risks sections above before making a decision. This is not investment advice.

Is NGVC stock overvalued or undervalued?

Valuation metrics for NGVC: ROE of 5.2% (sector avg: 18%), net margin of 3.4% (sector avg: 8%). Compare these metrics with sector averages to assess valuation.

Should I buy NGVC stock in 2026?

Our dual AI analysis gives Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. a combined HOLD rating for 2026. Revenue is data pending, with profitability at or below sector average. Always conduct your own research.

What is NGVC's free cash flow?

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc.'s operating cash flow is $21.1M, with capital expenditures of $9.6M. FCF margin is 3.4%.

How does NGVC compare to other Consumer stocks?

Vs Consumer sector averages: Net margin 3.4% (avg: 8%), ROE 5.2% (avg: 18%), current ratio 1.07 (avg: 1.5).

Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by Claude AI (Anthropic) and ChatGPT (OpenAI) based on publicly available SEC EDGAR filings. It does not include stock price data and should not be considered financial advice. All fundamental data is sourced from SEC public domain filings. Always conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.
Data Source: SEC EDGAR | Analysis Date: Apr 13, 2026 | Data as of: 2025-12-31 | Powered by Claude AI