Investors Purchase High Volume of Ferroglobe Call Options (NASDAQ:GSM)

Ferroglobe PLC (NASDAQ:GSM - Get Free Report) saw some unusual options trading on Friday. Traders purchased 7,371 call options on the stock. This is an increase of approximately 300% compared to the average volume of 1,842 call options.

Ferroglobe Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:GSM traded up $0.03 on Friday, reaching $3.96. 942,199 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,009,900. The stock has a market capitalization of $742.24 million, a PE ratio of 16.50 and a beta of 1.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02, a current ratio of 1.83 and a quick ratio of 1.00. The company's 50 day moving average is $4.18 and its 200-day moving average is $4.59. Ferroglobe has a fifty-two week low of $3.68 and a fifty-two week high of $6.47.

Ferroglobe (NASDAQ:GSM - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, November 6th. The basic materials company reported $0.11 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.16 by ($0.05). The company had revenue of $433.53 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $443.50 million. Ferroglobe had a net margin of 2.74% and a return on equity of 7.55%. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.27 earnings per share. As a group, analysts anticipate that Ferroglobe will post 0.28 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Ferroglobe Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 27th. Investors of record on Friday, December 20th were given a $0.013 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 20th. This represents a $0.05 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.31%. Ferroglobe's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 20.83%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Ferroglobe

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in GSM. Barclays PLC purchased a new position in Ferroglobe during the 3rd quarter valued at about $44,000. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC grew its position in Ferroglobe by 40.1% during the second quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC now owns 15,665 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $84,000 after purchasing an additional 4,480 shares in the last quarter. Quarry LP acquired a new position in Ferroglobe in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $84,000. Hood River Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Ferroglobe by 41.4% in the 2nd quarter. Hood River Capital Management LLC now owns 20,816 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $112,000 after buying an additional 6,091 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Ferroglobe during the 3rd quarter valued at $99,000. 89.64% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Ferroglobe

Ferroglobe PLC produces and sells silicon metal, and silicon and manganese-based ferroalloys in the United States, Europe, and internationally. It provides silicone chemicals that are used in a range of applications, including personal care items, construction-related products, health care products, and electronics; and silicon metal for primary and secondary aluminum producers.