CVR Partners (NYSE:UAN) Sees Large Volume Increase Following Insider Buying Activity

Shares of CVR Partners, LP (NYSE:UAN) saw unusually-strong trading volume on Monday after an insider bought additional shares in the company. Approximately 57,197 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 80% from the previous session’s volume of 31,777 shares.The stock last traded at $68.08 and had previously closed at $69.58.

Specifically, major shareholder Carl C. Icahn acquired 6,071 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, April 7th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $66.65 per share, for a total transaction of $404,632.15. Following the completion of the acquisition, the insider now owns 219,620 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $14,637,673. The trade was a 2.84 % increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, major shareholder Carl C. Icahn bought 500 shares of CVR Partners stock in a transaction on Thursday, April 3rd. The stock was acquired at an average price of $74.98 per share, for a total transaction of $37,490.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 207,686 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $15,572,296.28. This trade represents a 0.24 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. In related news, major shareholder Carl C. Icahn acquired 2,819 shares of CVR Partners stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 31st. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $74.79 per share, for a total transaction of $210,833.01. Following the acquisition, the insider now owns 207,155 shares in the company, valued at approximately $15,493,122.45. This represents a 1.38 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, StockNews.com downgraded shares of CVR Partners from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, February 21st.

CVR Partners Stock Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 1.44, a current ratio of 2.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.94. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.14 billion, a PE ratio of 11.59 and a beta of 0.89. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $76.49 and a 200 day moving average price of $74.76.

CVR Partners (NYSE:UAN) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 18th. The basic materials company reported $1.73 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The company had revenue of $139.56 million for the quarter. CVR Partners had a net margin of 11.59% and a return on equity of 20.61%.

CVR Partners Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 10th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 3rd were paid a $1.75 dividend. This is an increase from CVR Partners’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.19. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 3rd. This represents a $7.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 10.48%. CVR Partners’s payout ratio is 121.53%.

Institutional Trading of CVR Partners

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of UAN. McIlrath & Eck LLC acquired a new stake in CVR Partners in the 3rd quarter valued at about $51,000. Chancellor Financial Group WB LP purchased a new position in shares of CVR Partners in the 4th quarter valued at about $209,000. Summit Securities Group LLC lifted its stake in CVR Partners by 123.1% during the fourth quarter. Summit Securities Group LLC now owns 2,900 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $220,000 after purchasing an additional 1,600 shares during the last quarter. Virtu Financial LLC purchased a new position in CVR Partners in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $226,000. Finally, Stifel Financial Corp acquired a new position in shares of CVR Partners in the 4th quarter valued at $227,000. 43.83% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About CVR Partners

CVR Partners, LP, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production and sale of nitrogen fertilizer products in the United States. The company offers ammonia products for agricultural and industrial customers; and urea ammonium nitrate products to agricultural customers, as well as retailers and distributors.