Oil-Dri Co. of America (NYSE:ODC) Rating Lowered to “Hold” at StockNews.com

Oil-Dri Co. of America (NYSE:ODC) was downgraded by analysts at StockNews.com from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report issued on Tuesday.

Oil-Dri Co. of America Stock Down 0.2 %

NYSE ODC opened at $41.11 on Tuesday. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $26.38 and its 200-day moving average price is $19.97. The company has a quick ratio of 1.39, a current ratio of 2.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20. Oil-Dri Co. of America has a 52 week low of $29.47 and a 52 week high of $46.50. The company has a market capitalization of $600.00 million, a P/E ratio of 6.64 and a beta of 0.53.

Oil-Dri Co. of America (NYSE:ODC) last released its earnings results on Monday, December 9th. The specialty chemicals company reported $0.56 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Oil-Dri Co. of America had a return on equity of 21.84% and a net margin of 9.92%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, VP Laura G. Scheland sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, October 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $17.32, for a total transaction of $173,175.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 61,360 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,062,601.80. This trade represents a 14.01 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 11.66% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Oil-Dri Co. of America

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ODC. Rhumbline Advisers grew its holdings in Oil-Dri Co. of America by 19.4% during the 2nd quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 6,871 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock valued at $440,000 after buying an additional 1,115 shares in the last quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. grew its holdings in Oil-Dri Co. of America by 1,617.3% during the 2nd quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 22,685 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock valued at $1,454,000 after buying an additional 21,364 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. grew its holdings in Oil-Dri Co. of America by 24.3% during the 2nd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 111,348 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock valued at $7,136,000 after buying an additional 21,740 shares in the last quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Oil-Dri Co. of America during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $1,181,000. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP grew its holdings in Oil-Dri Co. of America by 50.5% during the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 21,933 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock valued at $1,406,000 after buying an additional 7,364 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 49.01% of the company’s stock.

About Oil-Dri Co. of America

Oil-Dri Corporation of America, together with its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures, and markets sorbent products in the United States and internationally. It operates in two segments, Retail and Wholesale Products Group, and Business to Business Products Group. The company provides agricultural and horticultural products, including mineral-based absorbent products that serve as carriers for biological and chemical active ingredients, drying agents, and growing media under the Agsorb, Verge, and Flo-Fre brand names.