Huntsman (NYSE:HUN) Trading Down 3.5% - Time to Sell?

Huntsman Co. (NYSE:HUN - Get Free Report) was down 3.5% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $13.27 and last traded at $13.24. Approximately 251,852 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 89% from the average daily volume of 2,319,632 shares. The stock had previously closed at $13.72.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on HUN shares. The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their target price on shares of Huntsman from $22.00 to $19.00 and set a "sell" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, March 5th. Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on Huntsman from $24.00 to $20.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, January 13th. Alembic Global Advisors lowered Huntsman from an "overweight" rating to a "neutral" rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 15th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on Huntsman from $17.00 to $18.00 and gave the company a "sector perform" rating in a report on Thursday, February 20th. Finally, UBS Group decreased their price target on shares of Huntsman from $18.00 to $13.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 7th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $17.67.

Huntsman Stock Up 1.4 %

The company has a quick ratio of 0.83, a current ratio of 1.36 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $15.94 and a 200-day simple moving average of $18.37. The stock has a market cap of $2.26 billion, a P/E ratio of -11.84 and a beta of 0.85.

Huntsman (NYSE:HUN - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, February 17th. The basic materials company reported ($0.25) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.07) by ($0.18). The firm had revenue of $1.45 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.45 billion. Huntsman had a negative return on equity of 0.39% and a negative net margin of 3.13%. Analysts expect that Huntsman Co. will post 0.32 EPS for the current year.

Huntsman Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 14th were given a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.68%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 14th. Huntsman's dividend payout ratio is currently -90.91%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Huntsman

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Pzena Investment Management LLC grew its position in Huntsman by 320.2% in the 4th quarter. Pzena Investment Management LLC now owns 4,695,678 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $84,663,000 after purchasing an additional 3,578,100 shares during the last quarter. Nomura Holdings Inc. grew its position in Huntsman by 188.3% during the fourth quarter. Nomura Holdings Inc. now owns 3,269,000 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $58,940,000 after buying an additional 2,135,000 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new position in Huntsman during the fourth quarter valued at about $37,464,000. Deprince Race & Zollo Inc. raised its holdings in Huntsman by 70.2% in the 4th quarter. Deprince Race & Zollo Inc. now owns 2,762,907 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $49,815,000 after acquiring an additional 1,139,549 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP lifted its position in shares of Huntsman by 61.3% in the 4th quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 1,712,163 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $30,870,000 after acquiring an additional 650,951 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 84.81% of the company's stock.

Huntsman Company Profile

Huntsman Corporation manufactures and sells diversified organic chemical products worldwide. The company operates in three segments: Polyurethanes, Performance Products, and Advanced Materials. The Polyurethanes segment offers polyurethane chemicals, including methyl diphenyl diisocyanate, polyether and polyester polyols, and thermoplastic polyurethane; and aniline, benzene, nitrobenzene and other co-products.