Compass Minerals International, Inc. (NYSE:CMP) Shares Sold by Bank of Montreal Can

Bank of Montreal Can lessened its position in Compass Minerals International, Inc. (NYSE:CMP - Free Report) by 18.5% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 428,127 shares of the basic materials company's stock after selling 96,970 shares during the quarter. Bank of Montreal Can owned 1.03% of Compass Minerals International worth $4,816,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Tsfg LLC purchased a new stake in Compass Minerals International in the fourth quarter worth $28,000. Denver PWM LLC increased its stake in Compass Minerals International by 33.8% in the 3rd quarter. Denver PWM LLC now owns 3,745 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $45,000 after buying an additional 946 shares during the period. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS bought a new stake in Compass Minerals International during the 4th quarter valued at about $80,000. New York State Common Retirement Fund lifted its holdings in Compass Minerals International by 35.9% during the 4th quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund now owns 7,189 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $81,000 after buying an additional 1,900 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Intech Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in Compass Minerals International in the 4th quarter valued at about $187,000. 99.78% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

CMP has been the topic of a number of research reports. StockNews.com raised shares of Compass Minerals International from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded Compass Minerals International from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $13.00 to $15.00 in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets lowered their target price 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.

Compass Minerals International Stock Up 1.6 %

Shares of NYSE CMP traded up $0.18 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $11.33. 571,856 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 795,147. The company has a market cap of $470.24 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -2.87 and a beta of 1.17. The stock's 50 day simple moving average is $10.47 and its 200-day simple moving average is $12.04. The company has a quick ratio of 1.12, a current ratio of 2.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.67. Compass Minerals International, Inc. has a one year low of $7.51 and a one year high of $15.82.

Compass Minerals International (NYSE:CMP - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Monday, February 10th. The basic materials company reported ($0.55) earnings per share (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, analysts predict that Compass Minerals International, Inc. will post -0.53 EPS for the current fiscal year.

About Compass Minerals International

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.