American Vanguard Co. (NYSE:AVD) Shares Bought by First Eagle Investment Management LLC

First Eagle Investment Management LLC grew its position in American Vanguard Co. (NYSE:AVD) by 67.5% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 520,398 shares of the basic materials company’s stock after acquiring an additional 209,800 shares during the period. First Eagle Investment Management LLC owned about 1.86% of American Vanguard worth $4,475,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in AVD. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. increased its position in American Vanguard by 40.0% during the 2nd quarter. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. now owns 44,189 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $380,000 after purchasing an additional 12,625 shares during the period. Perritt Capital Management Inc acquired a new position in American Vanguard during the second quarter worth $172,000. American Century Companies Inc. raised its position in American Vanguard by 12.9% in the second quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 45,206 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $389,000 after acquiring an additional 5,170 shares in the last quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in American Vanguard by 535.7% in the second quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 135,165 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $1,162,000 after acquiring an additional 113,901 shares during the period. Finally, Pullen Investment Management LLC boosted its position in shares of American Vanguard by 2.4% during the 2nd quarter. Pullen Investment Management LLC now owns 70,089 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $603,000 after purchasing an additional 1,628 shares in the last quarter. 79.04% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity at American Vanguard

In other news, Director Keith M. Rosenbloom bought 104,492 shares of American Vanguard stock in a transaction on Friday, August 30th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $5.74 per share, for a total transaction of $599,784.08. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 1,168,682 shares in the company, valued at $6,708,234.68. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other news, Director Keith M. Rosenbloom acquired 104,492 shares of American Vanguard stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 30th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $5.74 per share, with a total value of $599,784.08. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now owns 1,168,682 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $6,708,234.68. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Keith M. Rosenbloom bought 25,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 3rd. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $5.94 per share, with a total value of $148,500.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now directly owns 1,193,682 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,090,471.08. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders have purchased a total of 163,047 shares of company stock valued at $938,205 over the last quarter. Insiders own 10.10% of the company’s stock.

American Vanguard Stock Down 5.4 %

Shares of NYSE AVD opened at $5.56 on Friday. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $7.04 and its two-hundred day moving average is $9.19. The company has a market capitalization of $155.60 million, a PE ratio of 21.38 and a beta of 0.88. American Vanguard Co. has a 12-month low of $4.95 and a 12-month high of $14.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60, a current ratio of 2.22 and a quick ratio of 1.08.

American Vanguard (NYSE:AVD) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, August 8th. The basic materials company reported ($0.09) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.01) by ($0.08). American Vanguard had a negative net margin of 0.60% and a positive return on equity of 1.85%. The company had revenue of $128.21 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $134.20 million. Equities analysts anticipate that American Vanguard Co. will post 0.02 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

AVD has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. StockNews.com downgraded shares of American Vanguard from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Tuesday, August 13th. Lake Street Capital assumed coverage on American Vanguard in a report on Monday, July 22nd. They issued a “buy” rating and a $14.00 price target on the stock. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $16.67.

American Vanguard Company Profile

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.