NL Industries (NYSE:NL) Downgraded to "Buy" Rating by StockNews.com

NL Industries (NYSE:NL - Get Free Report) was downgraded by StockNews.com from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a note issued to investors on Monday.

NL Industries Stock Up 7.4 %

NL Industries stock traded up $0.51 on Monday, hitting $7.32. The company's stock had a trading volume of 65,151 shares, compared to its average volume of 34,592. NL Industries has a one year low of $5.20 and a one year high of $9.42. The firm has a market cap of $357.32 million, a P/E ratio of 6.10 and a beta of 0.56. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $7.37 and a 200-day moving average price of $7.52.

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

Insider Activity at NL Industries

In related news, Director Kevin B. Kramer acquired 6,500 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 11th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $6.59 per share, with a total value of $42,835.00. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 9,350 shares in the company, valued at $61,616.50. The trade was a 228.07 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Insiders own 0.25% of the company's stock.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On NL Industries

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Gladius Capital Management LP bought a new position in NL Industries in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $39,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC raised its position in shares of NL Industries by 42.9% during the fourth quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 9,556 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $74,000 after acquiring an additional 2,871 shares during the last quarter. Barclays PLC lifted its stake in shares of NL Industries by 311.4% during the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 11,934 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $89,000 after acquiring an additional 9,033 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers lifted its stake in shares of NL Industries by 17.6% during the fourth quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 14,816 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $115,000 after acquiring an additional 2,217 shares during the period. Finally, WINTON GROUP Ltd bought a new position in NL Industries in the fourth quarter valued at about $159,000. 10.67% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About NL Industries

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.