Compass Minerals International (NYSE:CMP) Upgraded to Buy by Loop Capital

Loop Capital upgraded shares of Compass Minerals International (NYSE:CMP) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report sent to investors on Friday, Marketbeat.com reports. They currently have $23.00 price target on the basic materials company’s stock, down from their prior price target of $26.00.

Several other research firms have also commented on CMP. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on Compass Minerals International from $24.00 to $21.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Friday, February 9th. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their target price on shares of Compass Minerals International from $75.00 to $60.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, January 11th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets dropped their price target on shares of Compass Minerals International from $25.00 to $20.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, March 26th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $33.80.

Compass Minerals International Trading Up 3.3 %

CMP opened at $13.04 on Friday. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $17.44 and its 200 day moving average price is $21.81. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.98, a quick ratio of 1.15 and a current ratio of 3.07. The stock has a market capitalization of $538.68 million, a PE ratio of -8.93, a P/E/G ratio of 1.91 and a beta of 1.13. Compass Minerals International has a one year low of $11.85 and a one year high of $39.78.

Compass Minerals International (NYSE:CMP) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 7th. The basic materials company reported $0.05 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.24 by ($0.19). The company had revenue of $341.70 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $352.84 million. Compass Minerals International had a negative net margin of 4.97% and a positive return on equity of 4.56%. Compass Minerals International’s revenue for the quarter was down 3.0% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Compass Minerals International will post 0.11 EPS for the current year.

Compass Minerals International Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 20th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 11th were issued a $0.15 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 8th. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.60%. Compass Minerals International’s payout ratio is currently -41.10%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Compass Minerals International

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Peoples Bank KS purchased a new stake in Compass Minerals International in the third quarter valued at $30,000. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC lifted its stake in Compass Minerals International by 156.5% in the third quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 1,239 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $35,000 after buying an additional 756 shares during the last quarter. Ulland Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Compass Minerals International in the 3rd quarter valued at $58,000. CarsonAllaria Wealth Management Ltd. boosted its stake in Compass Minerals International by 12.9% during the 4th quarter. CarsonAllaria Wealth Management Ltd. now owns 4,235 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $107,000 after purchasing an additional 484 shares during the period. Finally, PNC Financial Services Group Inc. increased its position in Compass Minerals International by 117.9% in the 4th quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 4,391 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $111,000 after acquiring an additional 2,376 shares during the period. 99.78% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Compass Minerals International Company Profile

Compass Minerals International, Inc, provides essential minerals in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and internationally. It operates through two segments, Salt and Plant Nutrition. The Salt segment produces, markets, and sells sodium chloride and magnesium chloride, including rock salt, mechanically and solar evaporated salt, and brine and flake magnesium chloride products; and purchases potassium chloride and calcium chloride to sell as finished products or to blend with sodium chloride to produce specialty products.