American Vanguard (NYSE:AVD) Downgraded by StockNews.com

StockNews.com downgraded shares of American Vanguard (NYSE:AVD) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report report published on Friday morning.

Several other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports on the company. Roth Mkm raised their target price on American Vanguard from $13.00 to $16.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, March 15th. Roth Capital reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of American Vanguard in a research report on Wednesday, January 31st. Finally, Loop Capital lifted their price target on shares of American Vanguard from $19.00 to $20.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, April 15th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $18.00.

American Vanguard Price Performance

NYSE:AVD opened at $9.14 on Friday. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $11.81 and a 200 day moving average price of $10.81. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a current ratio of 1.87. The stock has a market cap of $263.23 million, a PE ratio of 35.15 and a beta of 1.05. American Vanguard has a one year low of $8.41 and a one year high of $18.38.

American Vanguard (NYSE:AVD) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 9th. The basic materials company reported $0.09 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.08 by $0.01. American Vanguard had a net margin of 1.22% and a return on equity of 2.21%. The firm had revenue of $135.14 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $141.20 million. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.07 earnings per share. Equities research analysts expect that American Vanguard will post 0.77 EPS for the current fiscal year.

American Vanguard Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 10th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 27th were given a $0.03 dividend. This represents a $0.12 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.31%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, March 26th. American Vanguard’s dividend payout ratio is currently 46.15%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. CWM LLC raised its stake in shares of American Vanguard by 492.4% in the fourth quarter. CWM LLC now owns 2,340 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 1,945 shares in the last quarter. Gladius Capital Management LP acquired a new position in shares of American Vanguard during the fourth quarter worth about $37,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC increased its stake in shares of American Vanguard by 240.5% during the fourth quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 6,885 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $76,000 after buying an additional 4,863 shares during the period. Bfsg LLC purchased a new position in American Vanguard in the fourth quarter worth approximately $98,000. Finally, WINTON GROUP Ltd acquired a new position in American Vanguard during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $119,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.04% of the company’s stock.

About American Vanguard

American Vanguard Corporation, through its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures, and markets specialty chemicals for agricultural, commercial, and consumer uses in the United States and internationally. It manufactures and formulates chemicals, including insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, soil health, plant nutrition, molluscicides, growth regulators, soil fumigants, and biorationals in liquid, powder, and granular forms for crops, turf and ornamental plants, and human and animal health protection.