Kennedy Capital Management LLC Makes New $3.53 Million Investment in Compass Minerals International, Inc. (NYSE:CMP)

Kennedy Capital Management LLC bought a new position in Compass Minerals International, Inc. (NYSE:CMP - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund bought 314,066 shares of the basic materials company's stock, valued at approximately $3,533,000. Kennedy Capital Management LLC owned about 0.76% of Compass Minerals International as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Tsfg LLC purchased a new stake in Compass Minerals International in the fourth quarter worth $28,000. Denver PWM LLC increased its position in shares of Compass Minerals International by 33.8% during the third quarter. Denver PWM LLC now owns 3,745 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $45,000 after acquiring an additional 946 shares during the period. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS bought a new stake in shares of Compass Minerals International during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $80,000. New York State Common Retirement Fund boosted its holdings in shares of Compass Minerals International by 35.9% in the fourth quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund now owns 7,189 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $81,000 after purchasing an additional 1,900 shares during the period. Finally, Intech Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in Compass Minerals International during the 4th quarter worth $187,000. 99.78% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Compass Minerals International Stock Up 1.6 %

Shares of NYSE CMP traded up $0.18 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $11.33. 571,856 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 795,147. The company has a market cap of $470.24 million, a PE ratio of -2.87 and a beta of 1.17. Compass Minerals International, Inc. has a 12 month low of $7.51 and a 12 month high of $15.82. The company has a quick ratio of 1.12, a current ratio of 2.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.67. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $10.47 and a 200-day moving average price of $12.04.

Compass Minerals International (NYSE:CMP - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, February 10th. The basic materials company reported ($0.55) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.05) by ($0.50). Compass Minerals International had a negative net margin of 15.10% and a negative return on equity of 10.00%. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Compass Minerals International, Inc. will post -0.53 EPS for the current year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms recently weighed in on CMP. BMO Capital Markets decreased their price objective on Compass Minerals International from $18.00 to $17.00 and set a "market perform" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. StockNews.com raised shares of Compass Minerals International from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded Compass Minerals International from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating and upped their target price for the stock from $13.00 to $15.00 in a report on Wednesday, February 12th.

Compass Minerals International Profile

Compass Minerals International, Inc, provides essential minerals in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and internationally. It operates through two segments, Salt and Plant Nutrition. The Salt segment produces, markets, and sells sodium chloride and magnesium chloride, including rock salt, mechanically and solar evaporated salt, and brine and flake magnesium chloride products; and purchases potassium chloride and calcium chloride to sell as finished products or to blend with sodium chloride to produce specialty products.