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

American Vanguard Corporation (NYSE:AVD) was the target of a large growth in short interest in 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. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 345,148 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.1 days. Currently, 1.4% of the shares of the company are sold short.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have recently commented on AVD. Wall Street Zen lowered American Vanguard from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Saturday, August 15th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “sell (e+)” rating on shares of American Vanguard in a research report on Thursday, August 13th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Sell rating. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Sell”.

American Vanguard Stock Performance

Shares of AVD stock traded down $0.17 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $1.16. The stock had a trading volume of 994,490 shares, compared to its average volume of 320,663. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.46, a current ratio of 2.47 and a quick ratio of 1.40. American Vanguard has a twelve month low of $1.13 and a twelve month high of $5.55. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $2.10 and a 200-day simple moving average of $2.48. The firm has a market capitalization of $34.07 million, a PE ratio of -0.61 and a beta of 1.49.

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

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Keith Rosenbloom sold 556,580 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $2.20, for a total transaction of $1,224,476.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 15,201 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $33,442.20. This represents a 97.34% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Steven D. Macicek acquired 19,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 17th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $2.09 per share, with a total value of $39,710.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 99,711 shares in the company, valued at approximately $208,395.99. The trade was a 23.54% increase in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. Insiders own 5.60% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On American Vanguard

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. R Squared Ltd bought a new stake in shares of American Vanguard during the 1st quarter worth about $28,000. Bank of America Corp DE bought a new position in shares of American Vanguard in the second quarter valued at approximately $79,000. Canal Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of American Vanguard in the first quarter valued at approximately $75,000. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. acquired a new position in shares of American Vanguard during the first quarter valued at approximately $87,000. Finally, Ieq Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of American Vanguard during the second quarter valued at approximately $117,000. 79.00% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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.