Short Interest in NL Industries, Inc. (NYSE:NL) Rises By 21.8%

NL Industries, Inc. (NYSE:NL - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest during the month of March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 90,900 shares, an increase of 21.8% from the February 28th total of 74,600 shares. Currently, 1.1% of the company's shares are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 28,700 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 3.2 days.

NL Industries Trading Up 0.5 %

NYSE:NL traded up $0.04 on Monday, reaching $7.30. 34,164 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 34,555. The company's fifty day simple moving average is $7.39 and its 200 day simple moving average is $7.66. The company has a market capitalization of $356.40 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.08 and a beta of 0.41. NL Industries has a 12 month low of $5.20 and a 12 month high of $9.42.

NL Industries (NYSE:NL - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, March 6th. The basic materials company reported $0.34 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.21 by $0.13. The business had revenue of $38.40 million for the quarter. NL Industries had a return on equity of 14.74% and a net margin of 38.69%.

NL Industries Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 27th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 11th were paid a $0.09 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, March 11th. This is a positive change from NL Industries's previous quarterly dividend of $0.08. This represents a $0.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.93%. NL Industries's payout ratio is currently 26.09%.

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Insider Transactions at NL Industries

In other news, Director Kevin B. Kramer purchased 6,500 shares of NL Industries stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 11th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $6.59 per share, with a total value of $42,835.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now directly owns 9,350 shares in the company, valued at approximately $61,616.50. This trade represents a 228.07 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.26% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new position in shares of NL Industries in the 4th quarter worth $1,622,000. Wealthstar Advisors LLC purchased a new position in NL Industries in the fourth quarter worth about $670,000. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its stake in shares of NL Industries by 1.1% during the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 2,006,917 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $15,594,000 after purchasing an additional 21,876 shares during the period. Aristides Capital LLC increased its position in shares of NL Industries by 5.3% during the 4th quarter. Aristides Capital LLC now owns 426,626 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $3,315,000 after purchasing an additional 21,313 shares during the last quarter. Finally, BNP Paribas Financial Markets lifted its stake in shares of NL Industries by 1,454.4% in the 3rd quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 22,492 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $167,000 after purchasing an additional 21,045 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 10.67% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, StockNews.com downgraded NL Industries from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, March 10th.

NL Industries Company Profile

NL Industries, Inc, through its subsidiary, CompX International Inc, operates in the component products industry in Europe, North America, the Asia Pacific, and internationally. The company manufactures and sells mechanical and electronic cabinet locks and other locking mechanisms, including disc tumbler locks; pin tumbler locking mechanisms under KeSet, System 64, TuBar, and Turbine brands; and electronic locks under CompX eLock and StealthLock brands for use in various applications, such as mailboxes, ignition systems, file cabinets, desk drawers, tool storage cabinets, high security medical cabinetry, integrated inventory and access control secured narcotics boxes, electronic circuit panels, storage compartments, gas station security, vending and cash containment machines.