AQR Capital Management LLC Makes New Investment in American Vanguard Co. (NYSE:AVD)

AQR Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in American Vanguard Co. (NYSE:AVD - Free Report) in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 117,033 shares of the basic materials company's stock, valued at approximately $1,006,000. AQR Capital Management LLC owned 0.42% of American Vanguard as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Pullen Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in American Vanguard by 2.4% in the second quarter. Pullen Investment Management LLC now owns 70,089 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $603,000 after purchasing an additional 1,628 shares during the period. Gabelli Funds LLC increased its holdings in American Vanguard by 25.0% in the first quarter. Gabelli Funds LLC now owns 15,000 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $194,000 after purchasing an additional 3,000 shares during the period. Point72 DIFC Ltd increased its holdings in American Vanguard by 195.7% in the second quarter. Point72 DIFC Ltd now owns 5,080 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $44,000 after purchasing an additional 3,362 shares during the period. Kennedy Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in American Vanguard by 4.7% in the first quarter. Kennedy Capital Management LLC now owns 79,596 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $1,031,000 after purchasing an additional 3,571 shares during the period. Finally, Gladius Capital Management LP acquired a new stake in American Vanguard in the second quarter valued at $32,000. 79.04% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Keith M. Rosenbloom bought 33,555 shares of American Vanguard stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 28th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $5.66 per share, for a total transaction of $189,921.30. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 1,047,410 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,928,340.60. This represents a 0.00 % increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, insider Peter Eilers sold 5,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $5.80, for a total value of $29,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 42,905 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $248,849. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Keith M. Rosenbloom purchased 33,555 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 28th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $5.66 per share, for a total transaction of $189,921.30. Following the transaction, the director now owns 1,047,410 shares in the company, valued at $5,928,340.60. This represents a 0.00 % increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders bought a total of 163,047 shares of company stock worth $938,205 in the last three months. Company insiders own 10.10% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

AVD has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Lake Street Capital initiated coverage on American Vanguard in a report on Monday, July 22nd. They set a "buy" rating and a $14.00 price target for the company. StockNews.com upgraded American Vanguard from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a 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. According to data from MarketBeat.com, American Vanguard has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $16.67.

American Vanguard Price Performance

Shares of AVD remained flat at $5.15 during trading hours on Friday. The stock had a trading volume of 160,785 shares, compared to its average volume of 246,621. The company has a quick ratio of 1.08, a current ratio of 2.22 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60. The business's fifty day moving average is $5.83 and its 200 day moving average is $8.49. The firm has a market cap of $144.12 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.81 and a beta of 0.87. American Vanguard Co. has a 12 month low of $4.95 and a 12 month high of $14.28.

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

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.