Fmr LLC Increases Holdings in American Vanguard Co. (NYSE:AVD)

Fmr LLC grew its stake in American Vanguard Co. (NYSE:AVD) by 28.0% in the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 156,691 shares of the basic materials company’s stock after purchasing an additional 34,297 shares during the period. Fmr LLC’s holdings in American Vanguard were worth $830,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. First Eagle Investment Management LLC increased its position in American Vanguard by 67.5% during the second quarter. First Eagle Investment Management LLC now owns 520,398 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $4,475,000 after purchasing an additional 209,800 shares during the last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. acquired a new stake in shares of American Vanguard during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $1,677,000. AQR Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of American Vanguard during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $1,006,000. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of American Vanguard by 535.7% during the 2nd quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 135,165 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $1,162,000 after buying an additional 113,901 shares during the period. Finally, Barington Capital Group L.P. lifted its holdings in American Vanguard by 11.8% in the second quarter. Barington Capital Group L.P. now owns 475,000 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $4,085,000 after acquiring an additional 50,000 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.04% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, StockNews.com raised American Vanguard from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 25th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $16.67.

American Vanguard Stock Performance

Shares of AVD opened at $4.59 on Wednesday. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $5.62 and its 200-day simple moving average is $6.71. American Vanguard Co. has a 12-month low of $4.57 and a 12-month high of $14.28. The firm has a market cap of $132.14 million, a PE ratio of -4.46 and a beta of 0.89. The company has a current ratio of 1.89, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55.

Insider Activity at American Vanguard

In other American Vanguard news, Director Steven D. Macicek bought 12,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on 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 acquisition, the director now owns 31,218 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $186,371.46. The trade was a 62.44 % increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Company insiders own 10.10% of the company’s stock.

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.