Compass Minerals International (NYSE:CMP) Sees Strong Trading Volume - What's Next?

Shares of Compass Minerals International, Inc. (NYSE:CMP - Get Free Report) saw unusually-strong trading volume on Friday . Approximately 4,277,813 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 426% from the previous session's volume of 813,442 shares.The stock last traded at $14.76 and had previously closed at $12.00.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts recently issued reports on CMP shares. BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed a "market perform" rating and set a $20.00 target price on shares of Compass Minerals International in a research report on Wednesday, September 18th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Compass Minerals International to a "sell" rating in a report on Wednesday, September 18th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Compass Minerals International presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $31.00.

Compass Minerals International Stock Performance

The firm has a 50-day moving average of $12.06 and a 200-day moving average of $11.66. The company has a current ratio of 2.90, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.47. The stock has a market capitalization of $603.10 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -3.55 and a beta of 1.10.

Compass Minerals International (NYSE:CMP - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, September 17th. The basic materials company reported ($1.01) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.67) by ($0.34). Compass Minerals International had a positive return on equity of 4.75% and a negative net margin of 14.81%. The firm had revenue of $202.90 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $201.86 million. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Compass Minerals International, Inc. will post 0.02 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in CMP. BNP Paribas Financial Markets grew its holdings in Compass Minerals International by 8.2% during the first quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 30,553 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $481,000 after acquiring an additional 2,311 shares during the period. Entropy Technologies LP acquired a new stake in shares of Compass Minerals International during the 1st quarter worth approximately $445,000. First Eagle Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Compass Minerals International during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $1,908,000. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Compass Minerals International by 3.6% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 4,579,361 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $72,079,000 after purchasing an additional 160,632 shares during the period. Finally, CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co boosted its holdings in Compass Minerals International by 12.3% during the first quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co now owns 36,670 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $577,000 after buying an additional 4,005 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 99.78% of the company's stock.

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.