Russel Metals Inc. (TSE:RUS) Stock Now Rated "Moderate Buy" by Sell-Side Analysts

Key Points

• Analyst sentiment is moderately bullish: Five of eight analysts rate Russel Metals a buy, while three recommend holding the stock. The average 12-month price target is C$84.11, with recent targets ranging from C$82 to C$113.
• Russel Metals shares opened at C$91.22, near their 52-week high of C$95.97 and well above the 200-day moving average of C$68.02. The company reported quarterly revenue of C$1.66 billion and earnings of C$1.63 per share.
• The company pays a quarterly dividend of C$0.44, equivalent to C$1.76 annually and a yield of approximately 1.9%. However, insiders sold 33,682 shares worth about C$2.74 million over the past 90 days.

Russel Metals Inc. (TSE:RUS - Get Free Report) has received an average recommendation of "Moderate Buy" from the eight analysts that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and five have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1-year price target among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is C$84.11.

Several analysts recently issued reports on RUS shares. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price target on Russel Metals from C$92.00 to C$107.00 in a report on Wednesday, September 30th. Scotiabank set a C$113.00 price objective on Russel Metals and gave the company a "sector outperform" rating in a research report on Thursday, October 15th. TD set a C$94.00 price objective on Russel Metals and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, September 21st. Raymond James Financial downgraded Russel Metals from a "moderate buy" rating to a "hold" rating and upped their target price for the stock from C$70.00 to C$82.00 in a research report on Monday, August 10th. Finally, National Bank Financial upped their target price on Russel Metals from C$75.00 to C$101.00 and gave the stock a "sector perform" rating in a research report on Thursday, October 15th.

Russel Metals Price Performance

Russel Metals stock opened at C$91.22 on Wednesday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of C$81.70 and a 200-day moving average of C$68.02. Russel Metals has a 52-week low of C$39.09 and a 52-week high of C$95.97. The company has a quick ratio of 1.44, a current ratio of 2.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 27.88. The firm has a market capitalization of C$5.01 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.27, a PEG ratio of 0.59 and a beta of 0.95.

Russel Metals (TSE:RUS - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, August 6th. The company reported C$1.63 earnings per share for the quarter. Russel Metals had a net margin of 4.04% and a return on equity of 13.09%. The business had revenue of C$1.66 billion for the quarter.

Russel Metals Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 15th were issued a $0.44 dividend. This represents a $1.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 28th. Russel Metals's dividend payout ratio is currently 44.13%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director James Francis Dinning sold 3,000 shares of Russel Metals stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$80.00, for a total transaction of C$240,000.00. Following the sale, the director owned 16,250 shares in the company, valued at C$1,300,000. This trade represents a 15.58% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Also, Director Brian Robie Hedges sold 25,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$81.54, for a total transaction of C$2,038,500.00. Insiders sold a total of 33,682 shares of company stock worth $2,735,333 in the last 90 days. 0.85% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Russel Metals Company Profile

Russel Metals is one of the largest metals distribution companies in North America with a growing focus on value-added processing. It carries on business in three segments: metals service centers, energy field stores and steel distributors. Its network of metals service centers carries an extensive line of metal products in a wide range of sizes, shapes and specifications, including carbon hot rolled and cold finished steel, pipe and tubular products, stainless steel, aluminum and other non-ferrous specialty metals.

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