NL Industries (NYSE:NL) Rating Lowered to “Buy” at StockNews.com

NL Industries (NYSE:NL) was downgraded by investment analysts at StockNews.com from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a note issued to investors on Monday.

NL Industries Price Performance

NYSE:NL traded down $0.22 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $7.10. 40,086 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 34,658. The stock has a market capitalization of $346.58 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.91 and a beta of 0.56. NL Industries has a 52-week low of $5.20 and a 52-week high of $9.42. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $7.41 and its 200-day moving average price is $7.51.

NL Industries (NYSE:NL) last released its earnings results on Thursday, March 6th. The basic materials company reported $0.34 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.21 by $0.13. NL Industries had a net margin of 38.69% and a return on equity of 14.74%. The company had revenue of $38.40 million for the quarter.

Institutional Trading of NL Industries

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of NL. Gladius Capital Management LP acquired a new stake in NL Industries during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in NL Industries by 42.9% during the 4th quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 9,556 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $74,000 after acquiring an additional 2,871 shares during the period. Barclays PLC lifted its stake in shares of NL Industries by 311.4% in the 3rd 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 during the period. Rhumbline Advisers lifted its stake in shares of NL Industries by 17.6% in the 4th 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 during the period. Finally, WINTON GROUP Ltd acquired a new position in NL Industries during the fourth quarter worth $159,000. 10.67% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About NL Industries

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.