Short Interest in NL Industries, Inc. (NYSE:NL) Declines By 29.9%

NL Industries, Inc. (NYSE:NL) was the target of a significant decrease in short interest in the month of January. As of January 30th, there was short interest totaling 82,043 shares, a decrease of 29.9% from the January 15th total of 117,104 shares. Approximately 0.2% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 58,778 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.4 days. Based on an average trading volume of 58,778 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.4 days. Approximately 0.2% of the shares of the company are sold short.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On NL Industries

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of NL Industries by 15.5% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 27,285 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $216,000 after buying an additional 3,667 shares during the period. Empowered Funds LLC grew its holdings in NL Industries by 3.7% during the first quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 168,532 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $1,331,000 after acquiring an additional 6,032 shares during the period. Strs Ohio purchased a new position in NL Industries in the first quarter worth $35,000. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in NL Industries by 5.2% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 202,513 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $1,296,000 after acquiring an additional 9,952 shares during the period. Finally, Jane Street Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of NL Industries during the 2nd quarter worth $158,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 10.67% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts recently commented on the stock. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c-)” rating on shares of NL Industries in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of NL Industries to a “sell” rating in a report on Saturday, February 7th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold”.

NL Industries Price Performance

Shares of NL stock traded up $0.08 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $6.30. The stock had a trading volume of 32,401 shares, compared to its average volume of 48,688. The firm has a market cap of $307.87 million, a PE ratio of 31.51 and a beta of 0.27. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $5.91 and its 200-day simple moving average is $5.97. NL Industries has a fifty-two week low of $5.04 and a fifty-two week high of $9.27.

About NL Industries

NL Industries, Inc is a U.S.-based industrial minerals company whose primary focus is the mining, upgrading and marketing of titanium feedstocks. The company’s products include synthetic rutile and chloride slag, which serve as key raw materials for producers of titanium dioxide pigment. These pigments are widely used as whitening and opacifying agents in coatings, plastics, paper and specialty applications.

NL Industries serves a global customer base, supplying feedstocks under long-term agreements and through spot transactions.