American Vanguard Co. (NYSE:AVD) Sees Significant Growth in Short Interest

American Vanguard Co. (NYSE:AVD - Get Free Report) saw a large growth in short interest in the month of September. As of September 30th, there was short interest totalling 833,600 shares, a growth of 21.5% from the September 15th total of 686,100 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 291,600 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.9 days. Currently, 3.1% of the company's shares are short sold.

Insider Activity at American Vanguard

In related news, Director Keith M. Rosenbloom acquired 33,555 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 28th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $5.66 per share, for a total transaction of $189,921.30. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 1,047,410 shares of the company's stock, valued at $5,928,340.60. This trade represents a 0.00 % increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In other American Vanguard news, Director Keith M. Rosenbloom purchased 104,492 shares of American Vanguard stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 30th. The shares were bought at an average price of $5.74 per share, for a total transaction of $599,784.08. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 1,168,682 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,708,234.68. This trade represents a 0.00 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, Director Keith M. Rosenbloom acquired 33,555 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 28th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $5.66 per share, with a total value of $189,921.30. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 1,047,410 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,928,340.60. This trade represents a 0.00 % increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders purchased 163,047 shares of company stock worth $938,205 in the last ninety days. 10.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On American Vanguard

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of AVD. Wellington Management Group LLP grew its stake in shares of American Vanguard by 4.5% in the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 1,685,126 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $18,486,000 after buying an additional 73,120 shares during the last quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of American Vanguard during the first quarter valued at $275,000. BNP Paribas Financial Markets raised its position in shares of American Vanguard by 3.6% in the 1st quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 107,809 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $1,396,000 after purchasing an additional 3,787 shares during the last quarter. Pullen Investment Management LLC bought a new position in American Vanguard in the 1st quarter worth about $887,000. Finally, Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. grew its position in American Vanguard by 37.0% during the 1st quarter. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. now owns 31,564 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $409,000 after purchasing an additional 8,530 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.04% of the company's stock.

American Vanguard Stock Up 0.5 %

Shares of NYSE AVD traded up $0.02 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $5.18. 148,098 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 246,123. The company has a market cap of $144.82 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.81 and a beta of 0.87. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $5.83 and a 200-day moving average price of $8.46. American Vanguard has a 52 week low of $4.95 and a 52 week high of $14.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a current ratio of 2.22.

American Vanguard (NYSE:AVD - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, August 8th. The basic materials company reported ($0.09) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of ($0.01) by ($0.08). The business had revenue of $128.21 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $134.20 million. American Vanguard had a negative net margin of 0.60% and a positive return on equity of 1.85%. Research analysts anticipate that American Vanguard will post 0.02 EPS for the current year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages recently commented on AVD. Lake Street Capital began coverage on American Vanguard in a research note on Monday, July 22nd. They issued a "buy" rating and a $14.00 price target for the company. StockNews.com raised shares of American Vanguard from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 25th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, American Vanguard presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $16.67.

About American Vanguard

American Vanguard Corporation, through its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures, and markets specialty chemicals for agricultural, commercial, and consumer uses in the United States and internationally. It manufactures and formulates chemicals, including insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, soil health, plant nutrition, molluscicides, growth regulators, soil fumigants, and biorationals in liquid, powder, and granular forms for crops, turf and ornamental plants, and human and animal health protection.