LyondellBasell Industries (NYSE:LYB) Sets New 12-Month Low - Here's Why

LyondellBasell Industries (NYSE:LYB - Get Free Report)'s stock price hit a new 52-week low on Friday . The company traded as low as $69.74 and last traded at $69.81, with a volume of 2585518 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $70.95.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on LYB shares. Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on shares of LyondellBasell Industries from $90.00 to $85.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price target on shares of LyondellBasell Industries from $96.00 to $86.00 and set a "sell" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, December 12th. StockNews.com downgraded LyondellBasell Industries from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. Piper Sandler decreased their target price on LyondellBasell Industries from $95.00 to $84.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada raised their price target on LyondellBasell Industries from $82.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 4th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $87.58.

LyondellBasell Industries Stock Down 0.5 %

The company has a current ratio of 1.83, a quick ratio of 1.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.84. The company has a market capitalization of $22.65 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.91, a PEG ratio of 0.97 and a beta of 1.06. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $75.44 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $80.94.

LyondellBasell Industries (NYSE:LYB - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, January 31st. The specialty chemicals company reported $0.75 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.28 by ($0.53). LyondellBasell Industries had a net margin of 3.39% and a return on equity of 15.97%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.26 earnings per share. Equities research analysts forecast that LyondellBasell Industries will post 6.31 EPS for the current year.

LyondellBasell Industries Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Investors of record on Monday, March 10th were issued a dividend of $1.34 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 10th. This represents a $5.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.65%. LyondellBasell Industries's payout ratio is presently 129.47%.

Insider Activity at LyondellBasell Industries

In related news, Director Michael Sean Hanley acquired 3,750 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 12th. The shares were bought at an average price of $72.05 per share, for a total transaction of $270,187.50. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 16,028 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,154,817.40. This trade represents a 30.54 % increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders own 0.11% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On LyondellBasell Industries

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in LYB. Vident Advisory LLC grew its position in shares of LyondellBasell Industries by 0.8% in the 4th quarter. Vident Advisory LLC now owns 16,123 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock valued at $1,197,000 after acquiring an additional 131 shares during the period. Webster Bank N. A. grew its holdings in LyondellBasell Industries by 70.4% during the fourth quarter. Webster Bank N. A. now owns 346 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 143 shares during the period. Cairn Investment Group Inc. increased its position in LyondellBasell Industries by 0.4% during the fourth quarter. Cairn Investment Group Inc. now owns 42,147 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $3,130,000 after buying an additional 155 shares during the last quarter. Alliance Wealth Advisors LLC UT raised its stake in LyondellBasell Industries by 5.2% in the fourth quarter. Alliance Wealth Advisors LLC UT now owns 3,608 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock valued at $268,000 after buying an additional 177 shares during the period. Finally, Y.D. More Investments Ltd lifted its position in shares of LyondellBasell Industries by 14.9% in the fourth quarter. Y.D. More Investments Ltd now owns 1,497 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock valued at $111,000 after buying an additional 194 shares during the last quarter. 71.20% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About LyondellBasell Industries

LyondellBasell Industries N.V. operates as a chemical company in the United States, Germany, Mexico, Italy, Poland, France, Japan, China, the Netherlands, and internationally. The company operates in six segments: Olefins and PolyolefinsAmericas; Olefins and PolyolefinsEurope, Asia, International; Intermediates and Derivatives; Advanced Polymer Solutions; Refining; and Technology.