Huntsman (NYSE:HUN) Reaches New 52-Week Low – Should You Sell?

Huntsman Co. (NYSE:HUN)’s share price reached a new 52-week low during trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as $16.95 and last traded at $16.95, with a volume of 1088895 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $17.00.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on HUN shares. UBS Group decreased their price target on shares of Huntsman from $24.00 to $23.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Citigroup lowered their price target on Huntsman from $22.00 to $19.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, December 18th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on Huntsman from $26.00 to $25.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, November 6th. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their target price on Huntsman from $23.00 to $20.00 and set a “sector perform” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, December 19th. Finally, Mizuho reduced their price target on shares of Huntsman from $23.00 to $21.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $23.75.

Huntsman Stock Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 0.83, a current ratio of 1.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $19.32 and a 200 day simple moving average of $21.38. The company has a market capitalization of $2.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -23.91 and a beta of 0.97.

Huntsman (NYSE:HUN) last announced its earnings results on Monday, November 4th. The basic materials company reported $0.10 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.10. Huntsman had a negative return on equity of 0.03% and a negative net margin of 1.99%. The firm had revenue of $1.54 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.55 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.15 EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 2.3% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts anticipate that Huntsman Co. will post 0.09 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Huntsman Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 13th were given a dividend of $0.25 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 13th. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.06%. Huntsman’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -144.93%.

Insider Activity at Huntsman

In other Huntsman news, Director Mary C. Beckerle sold 20,201 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $21.42, for a total value of $432,705.42. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 5.60% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Matrix Trust Co purchased a new stake in shares of Huntsman during the 3rd quarter worth about $25,000. True Wealth Design LLC bought a new position in Huntsman during the third quarter valued at approximately $62,000. Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new stake in Huntsman in the third quarter valued at approximately $78,000. Quarry LP grew its position in Huntsman by 64.8% in the second quarter. Quarry LP now owns 3,664 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $83,000 after acquiring an additional 1,441 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Rossmore Private Capital acquired a new position in shares of Huntsman during the 3rd quarter worth $202,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 84.81% of the company’s stock.

About Huntsman

Huntsman Corporation manufactures and sells diversified organic chemical products worldwide. The company operates in three segments: Polyurethanes, Performance Products, and Advanced Materials. The Polyurethanes segment offers polyurethane chemicals, including methyl diphenyl diisocyanate, polyether and polyester polyols, and thermoplastic polyurethane; and aniline, benzene, nitrobenzene and other co-products.