American Vanguard Corporation (NYSE:AVD) Stock Short Interest Report for September

American Vanguard Corporation (NYSE:AVD) was the target of a significant increase in short interest in the month of September. As of September 30th, there was short interest totaling 389,582 shares, an increase of 98.5% from the September 15th total of 196,244 shares. Approximately 1.4% of the company’s shares are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 345,148 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.1 days.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Steven D. Macicek acquired 19,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 17th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $2.09 per share, for a total transaction of $39,710.00. Following the acquisition, the director directly owned 99,711 shares in the company, valued at approximately $208,395.99. The trade was a 23.54% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Keith M. Rosenbloom sold 556,580 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $2.20, for a total transaction of $1,224,476.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 15,201 shares in the company, valued at $33,442.20. This represents a 97.34% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Corporate insiders own 5.60% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On American Vanguard

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in AVD. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. acquired a new stake in American Vanguard in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $107,000. Williams & Novak Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in American Vanguard by 49.6% in the 3rd quarter. Williams & Novak Wealth Management LLC now owns 64,825 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $113,000 after acquiring an additional 21,485 shares during the period. Squarepoint Ops LLC lifted its position in American Vanguard by 48.6% during the 2nd quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC now owns 91,823 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $257,000 after acquiring an additional 30,020 shares during the last quarter. Susquehanna International Group LLP lifted its position in American Vanguard by 177.4% during the 2nd quarter. Susquehanna International Group LLP now owns 63,529 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $178,000 after acquiring an additional 40,631 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its holdings in American Vanguard by 4.1% during the second quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 1,723,002 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $4,824,000 after acquiring an additional 68,107 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 79.00% of the company’s stock.

American Vanguard Stock Up 10.2%

AVD traded up $0.12 on Thursday, reaching $1.25. 3,021,426 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 334,305. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $2.07 and its 200-day moving average price is $2.47. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.46, a current ratio of 2.47 and a quick ratio of 1.40. American Vanguard has a 52-week low of $1.10 and a 52-week high of $5.55. The company has a market cap of $36.73 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -0.66 and a beta of 1.49.

American Vanguard (NYSE:AVD) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, August 10th. The basic materials company reported ($0.34) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.09 by ($0.43). The firm had revenue of $116.75 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $135.00 million. American Vanguard had a negative return on equity of 9.05% and a negative net margin of 10.70%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

AVD has been the subject of several recent research reports. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “sell (e+)” rating on shares of American Vanguard in a report on Thursday, August 13th. Wall Street Zen cut American Vanguard from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research note on Saturday, August 15th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Sell rating. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Sell”.

American Vanguard Company Profile

American Vanguard Corporation develops and markets specialty products for agriculture, professional turf and ornamental markets, and commercial and public-health applications. Through its AMVAC business, the company provides crop-protection products, including insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, soil fumigants, and plant-growth regulators designed to help manage pests, weeds, diseases, and soil conditions.

The company also offers products used in turf and ornamental plant care, industrial and commercial pest control, and certain animal-health applications.