NL Industries (NYSE:NL) Stock Rating Upgraded by StockNews.com

NL Industries (NYSE:NL) was upgraded by research analysts at StockNews.com from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report released on Saturday.

NL Industries Stock Performance

NL opened at $7.86 on Friday. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $7.91 and its two-hundred day moving average is $7.75. The firm has a market cap of $383.95 million, a PE ratio of 6.55 and a beta of 0.36. NL Industries has a twelve month low of $5.20 and a twelve month high of $9.42.

NL Industries (NYSE:NL) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, May 7th. The basic materials company reported $0.01 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.20 by ($0.19). NL Industries had a return on equity of 14.74% and a net margin of 38.69%. The business had revenue of $40.30 million for the quarter.

Insider Buying and Selling at NL Industries

In other news, Director Kevin B. Kramer bought 6,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 11th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $6.59 per share, with a total value of $42,835.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 9,350 shares in the company, valued at $61,616.50. This represents a 228.07% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.26% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of NL Industries

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in NL. Barclays PLC grew its position in NL Industries by 311.4% in the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 11,934 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $89,000 after purchasing an additional 9,033 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new stake in NL Industries during the fourth quarter worth about $1,622,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its position in NL Industries by 112.1% during the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 22,357 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $166,000 after purchasing an additional 11,815 shares during the last quarter. Rhumbline Advisers grew its stake in NL Industries by 17.6% in the fourth quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 14,816 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $115,000 after purchasing an additional 2,217 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Empowered Funds LLC increased its position in shares of NL Industries by 4.5% during the 4th quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 162,500 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $1,263,000 after purchasing an additional 6,950 shares during the last quarter. 10.67% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.