B. Riley Financial Issues Pessimistic Forecast for NPK International (NYSE:NPKI) Stock Price

Key Points

• B. Riley Financial cut NPK International’s price target from $21 to $15 while maintaining a “buy” rating, implying 57.81% upside from the stock’s $9.51 price. The consensus rating remains “Moderate Buy,” with an average target of $16.50.
• NPK International’s latest quarterly results fell short of expectations, with earnings per share of $0.09 versus the $0.12 consensus estimate. The stock is trading well below its 52-week high of $16.50.
• Institutional investors own 80.81% of NPK International, while insiders have sold 15,004 shares worth about $203,715 over the past 90 days, including sales by two directors under pre-arranged trading plans.

NPK International (NYSE:NPKI - Get Free Report) had its target price dropped by stock analysts at B. Riley Financial from $21.00 to $15.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Monday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has a "buy" rating on the stock. B. Riley Financial's price target would indicate a potential upside of 57.81% from the company's current price.

Separately, Weiss Ratings restated a "hold (c)" rating on shares of NPK International in a report on Friday, September 25th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $16.50.

NPK International Price Performance

NPKI stock traded up $0.15 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $9.51. The stock had a trading volume of 1,092,159 shares, compared to its average volume of 840,556. NPK International has a 52-week low of $8.24 and a 52-week high of $16.50. The company has a market cap of $807.07 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.02 and a beta of 1.54. The company's fifty day simple moving average is $12.06 and its 200 day simple moving average is $13.84. The company has a current ratio of 1.68, a quick ratio of 1.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06.

NPK International (NYSE:NPKI - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 29th. The company reported $0.09 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.12 by ($0.03). The business had revenue of $76.28 million during the quarter. NPK International had a return on equity of 11.57% and a net margin of 14.00%. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that NPK International will post 0.55 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at NPK International

In related news, Director Rose M. Robeson sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $13.49, for a total transaction of $134,900.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 215,147 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,902,333.03. This represents a 4.44% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, Director Michael A. Lewis sold 2,013 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $14.26, for a total transaction of $28,705.38. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 135,865 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,937,434.90. The trade was a 1.46% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders have sold 15,004 shares of company stock valued at $203,715 over the last 90 days. 4.20% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On NPK International

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Electron Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of NPK International during the 1st quarter worth about $15,938,000. Tieton Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in NPK International in the second quarter valued at approximately $13,060,000. Ancora Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of NPK International during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $10,799,000. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its position in shares of NPK International by 198.7% during the 2nd quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 790,335 shares of the company's stock worth $12,574,000 after buying an additional 525,718 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership boosted its holdings in shares of NPK International by 46.3% in the 1st quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 1,539,088 shares of the company's stock valued at $22,301,000 after buying an additional 486,846 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.81% of the company's stock.

About NPK International

NPK International is an industrial equipment company focused on attachments and related systems used with excavators and other heavy construction machinery. Through its operating businesses, the company designs, manufactures and distributes equipment for construction, demolition, recycling, mining, utility and material-handling applications.

Its product portfolio includes hydraulic breakers and hammers, concrete crushers and pulverizers, demolition shears, grapples, compactors, augers and other specialized attachments.

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