Empowered Funds LLC Purchases 3,216 Shares of American Vanguard Co. (NYSE:AVD)

Empowered Funds LLC lifted its position in American Vanguard Co. (NYSE:AVD) by 5.2% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 64,915 shares of the basic materials company’s stock after purchasing an additional 3,216 shares during the quarter. Empowered Funds LLC owned about 0.23% of American Vanguard worth $344,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in AVD. Gladius Capital Management LP purchased a new position in American Vanguard in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $32,000. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC grew its position in American Vanguard by 7,554.5% in the second quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 4,210 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 4,155 shares in the last quarter. Point72 DIFC Ltd increased its stake in American Vanguard by 195.7% in the second quarter. Point72 DIFC Ltd now owns 5,080 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $44,000 after acquiring an additional 3,362 shares during the last quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC purchased a new stake in American Vanguard during the third quarter valued at about $56,000. Finally, Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC bought a new stake in American Vanguard during the second quarter worth about $118,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.04% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, StockNews.com upgraded American Vanguard from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 25th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, American Vanguard currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $16.67.

Insider Transactions at American Vanguard

In other American Vanguard news, insider Peter Eilers sold 5,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $5.80, for a total value of $29,000.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 42,905 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $248,849. This trade represents a 10.44 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Keith M. Rosenbloom acquired 33,555 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 28th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $5.66 per share, with a total value of $189,921.30. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now owns 1,047,410 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,928,340.60. The trade was a 3.31 % increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have purchased 175,047 shares of company stock worth $1,009,845. Company insiders own 10.10% of the company’s stock.

American Vanguard Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:AVD opened at $5.82 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.79, a current ratio of 1.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55. The stock has a market cap of $167.55 million, a PE ratio of -5.65 and a beta of 0.88. The company’s fifty day moving average is $5.52 and its 200 day moving average is $7.08. American Vanguard Co. has a 52 week low of $4.95 and a 52 week high of $14.28.

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.