Short Interest in American Vanguard Co. (NYSE:AVD) Declines By 9.3%

American Vanguard Co. (NYSE:AVD) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest in October. As of October 31st, there was short interest totalling 693,400 shares, a decline of 9.3% from the October 15th total of 764,600 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 275,100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.5 days. Currently, 2.6% of the company’s stock are sold short.

American Vanguard Stock Up 2.9 %

AVD traded up $0.18 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $6.33. 290,679 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 260,282. The company has a quick ratio of 0.79, a current ratio of 1.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55. American Vanguard has a 1-year low of $4.95 and a 1-year high of $14.28. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $5.52 and its two-hundred day moving average is $7.29. The stock has a market cap of $182.24 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -6.14 and a beta of 0.88.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have recently commented on AVD. StockNews.com raised American Vanguard from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 25th. Lake Street Capital started coverage on shares of American Vanguard in a research report on Monday, July 22nd. They issued a “buy” rating and a $14.00 price objective for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $16.67.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other American Vanguard news, Director Steven D. Macicek purchased 12,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 15th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $5.97 per share, with a total value of $71,640.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 31,218 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $186,371.46. This trade represents a 62.44 % increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Keith M. Rosenbloom acquired 33,555 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 28th. The stock was bought at an average price of $5.66 per share, for a total transaction of $189,921.30. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now owns 1,047,410 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,928,340.60. This trade represents a 3.31 % increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders have bought a total of 175,047 shares of company stock valued at $1,009,845 in the last three months. Insiders own 10.10% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On American Vanguard

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Gladius Capital Management LP acquired a new position in shares of American Vanguard during the second quarter worth $32,000. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC raised its holdings in American Vanguard by 7,554.5% during the second quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 4,210 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $36,000 after buying an additional 4,155 shares during the last quarter. Point72 DIFC Ltd raised its holdings in American Vanguard by 195.7% during the second quarter. Point72 DIFC Ltd now owns 5,080 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $44,000 after buying an additional 3,362 shares during the last quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC acquired a new position in American Vanguard during the third quarter worth $56,000. Finally, Quantbot Technologies LP raised its holdings in American Vanguard by 64.5% during the third quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP now owns 11,291 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $60,000 after buying an additional 4,429 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.04% 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.