United States Lime & Minerals (NASDAQ:USLM) Upgraded by StockNews.com to Buy Rating

StockNews.com upgraded shares of United States Lime & Minerals (NASDAQ:USLM) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday morning.

United States Lime & Minerals Stock Performance

United States Lime & Minerals stock opened at $92.99 on Wednesday. United States Lime & Minerals has a fifty-two week low of $57.61 and a fifty-two week high of $159.53. The stock has a market cap of $2.66 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.51 and a beta of 0.91. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $99.12 and its 200-day moving average price is $114.19.

United States Lime & Minerals (NASDAQ:USLM) last announced its earnings results on Monday, February 3rd. The construction company reported $0.94 earnings per share for the quarter. United States Lime & Minerals had a return on equity of 24.55% and a net margin of 34.27%.

United States Lime & Minerals Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 14th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 21st were paid a $0.06 dividend. This represents a $0.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.26%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 21st. This is a boost from United States Lime & Minerals’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.05. United States Lime & Minerals’s payout ratio is currently 6.33%.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Sandra C. Duhe sold 3,157 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, February 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $94.61, for a total value of $298,683.77. Following the transaction, the director now owns 2,128 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $201,330.08. This represents a 59.74 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 1.62% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On United States Lime & Minerals

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Global Retirement Partners LLC bought a new stake in United States Lime & Minerals in the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. State of Wyoming bought a new stake in shares of United States Lime & Minerals in the 4th quarter worth approximately $35,000. Point72 Asia Singapore Pte. Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of United States Lime & Minerals in the 4th quarter valued at $36,000. FMR LLC grew its holdings in shares of United States Lime & Minerals by 403.0% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 503 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $49,000 after purchasing an additional 403 shares during the last quarter. Finally, National Bank of Canada FI purchased a new position in United States Lime & Minerals in the 4th quarter worth $72,000. 27.12% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About United States Lime & Minerals

United States Lime & Minerals, Inc engages in the manufacture and sale of lime and limestone products. Its products include High Calcium Quicklime, Hydrated Lime, Lime Kiln Dust, Lime Slurry, and High Calcium Limestone. The company was founded in 1948 and is headquartered in Dallas, TX.