American Vanguard Corporation (NYSE:AVD) Stock Short Interest Jumps 98.5%

American Vanguard Corporation (NYSE:AVD) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest during the month of September. As of September 30th, there was short interest totaling 389,582 shares, a growth of 98.5% from the September 15th total of 196,244 shares. Currently, 1.4% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 345,148 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.1 days.

American Vanguard Stock Down 15.6%

Shares of American Vanguard stock traded down $0.20 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $1.05. 700,657 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 335,557. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.46, a quick ratio of 1.40 and a current ratio of 2.47. American Vanguard has a 1 year low of $1.05 and a 1 year high of $5.55. The firm has a market cap of $31.12 million, a PE ratio of -0.56 and a beta of 1.49. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $2.04 and its 200 day moving average is $2.46.

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on AVD. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “sell (e+)” rating on shares of American Vanguard in a report on Thursday, August 13th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of American Vanguard from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research note on Saturday, August 15th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Sell rating. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Sell”.

Insider Activity at American Vanguard

In other American Vanguard news, Director Steven D. Macicek bought 19,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 17th. The shares were bought at an average price of $2.09 per share, for a total transaction of $39,710.00. Following the acquisition, the director directly owned 99,711 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $208,395.99. The trade was a 23.54% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Keith Rosenbloom sold 556,580 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $2.20, for a total value 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. The trade was a 97.34% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 5.60% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On American Vanguard

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

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.