NewMarket Corporation (NYSE:NEU) Short Interest Update

NewMarket Corporation (NYSE:NEU) was the target of a significant increase in short interest in the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 228,879 shares, an increase of 32.9% from the December 15th total of 172,219 shares. Currently, 3.0% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 130,085 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.8 days. Based on an average trading volume of 130,085 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.8 days. Currently, 3.0% of the shares of the company are sold short.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of NewMarket in a report on Monday, December 29th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Buy”.

Institutional Trading of NewMarket

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Parallel Advisors LLC lifted its position in NewMarket by 2.1% in the 2nd quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 740 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock valued at $511,000 after acquiring an additional 15 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its stake in shares of NewMarket by 7.3% in the third quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 220 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $182,000 after purchasing an additional 15 shares during the last quarter. OneDigital Investment Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of NewMarket by 5.8% during the third quarter. OneDigital Investment Advisors LLC now owns 329 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock valued at $273,000 after purchasing an additional 18 shares in the last quarter. MGO One Seven LLC boosted its position in shares of NewMarket by 6.5% during the third quarter. MGO One Seven LLC now owns 328 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock valued at $272,000 after buying an additional 20 shares during the last quarter. Finally, MAI Capital Management boosted its position in shares of NewMarket by 20.8% during the second quarter. MAI Capital Management now owns 122 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock valued at $84,000 after buying an additional 21 shares during the last quarter. 61.09% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

NewMarket Trading Down 0.7%

Shares of NewMarket stock traded down $4.68 during trading on Monday, reaching $645.32. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 158,400 shares, compared to its average volume of 137,201. The company has a quick ratio of 1.43, a current ratio of 2.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46. NewMarket has a 52-week low of $480.57 and a 52-week high of $875.97. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $734.00 and its two-hundred day moving average is $761.46. The company has a market cap of $6.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.63 and a beta of 0.49.

NewMarket (NYSE:NEU) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The specialty chemicals company reported $10.67 EPS for the quarter. NewMarket had a net margin of 16.33% and a return on equity of 28.53%. The company had revenue of $690.31 million for the quarter.

NewMarket Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 2nd. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 15th were given a $3.00 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 15th. This represents a $12.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.9%. This is a boost from NewMarket’s previous quarterly dividend of $2.75. NewMarket’s payout ratio is currently 25.35%.

NewMarket Company Profile

NewMarket Corporation is a specialty chemicals and lubricants company headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. Through its Valvoline business, the company markets a broad portfolio of automotive aftermarket products, including engine oils, transmission fluids, greases and vehicle care solutions. Valvoline products are distributed through retail and commercial channels as well as a network of quick-lube service centers that provide oil changes, preventive maintenance and related services.

In its chemical additives segment, NewMarket develops, manufactures and sells performance additives for fuels, lubricants and industrial fluids.