American Vanguard Co. (NYSE:AVD) Short Interest Down 9.3% in October

American Vanguard Co. (NYSE:AVD) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest in October. As of October 31st, there was short interest totalling 693,400 shares, a decline of 9.3% from the October 15th total of 764,600 shares. Currently, 2.6% of the company’s shares are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 275,100 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.5 days.

Insider Activity

In other American Vanguard news, insider Peter Eilers sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $5.80, for a total transaction of $29,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 42,905 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $248,849. This represents a 10.44 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Steven D. Macicek purchased 12,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 15th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $5.97 per share, for a total transaction of $71,640.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now directly owns 31,218 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $186,371.46. The trade was a 62.44 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders purchased 175,047 shares of company stock valued at $1,009,845. Corporate insiders own 10.10% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in AVD. Gladius Capital Management LP purchased a new stake in shares of American Vanguard during the second quarter worth about $32,000. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of American Vanguard by 7,554.5% in the 2nd quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 4,210 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 4,155 shares during the last quarter. Point72 DIFC Ltd boosted its position in American Vanguard by 195.7% during the 2nd 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. EntryPoint Capital LLC grew its stake in American Vanguard by 363.9% during the 1st quarter. EntryPoint Capital LLC now owns 10,118 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $131,000 after buying an additional 7,937 shares during the last quarter. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in American Vanguard in the third quarter worth $56,000. 79.04% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

American Vanguard Price Performance

Shares of NYSE AVD traded up $0.18 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $6.33. The company had a trading volume of 290,679 shares, compared to its average volume of 260,282. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $5.52 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $7.29. The company has a quick ratio of 0.79, a current ratio of 1.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55. The firm has a market capitalization of $182.24 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -6.14 and a beta of 0.88. American Vanguard has a twelve month low of $4.95 and a twelve month high of $14.28.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

AVD has been the topic of several recent research reports. StockNews.com upgraded American Vanguard from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 25th. Lake Street Capital started coverage on shares of American Vanguard in a research note on Monday, July 22nd. They issued a “buy” rating and a $14.00 price objective for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target 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.