Dimensional Fund Advisors LP Increases Position in MRC Global Inc. (NYSE:MRC)

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its holdings in shares of MRC Global Inc. (NYSE:MRC - Free Report) by 4.5% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 3,827,433 shares of the oil and gas company's stock after buying an additional 164,973 shares during the quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP owned 4.49% of MRC Global worth $48,914,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of MRC. Proficio Capital Partners LLC purchased a new stake in MRC Global in the fourth quarter worth $233,000. Shaker Investments LLC OH purchased a new stake in MRC Global in the 4th quarter valued at about $511,000. Barclays PLC grew its stake in MRC Global by 197.7% in the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 151,169 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $1,927,000 after acquiring an additional 100,384 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its position in shares of MRC Global by 12.7% during the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 156,332 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $1,992,000 after acquiring an additional 17,609 shares during the period. Finally, Empowered Funds LLC raised its stake in shares of MRC Global by 32.8% during the fourth quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 376,014 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $4,805,000 after acquiring an additional 92,874 shares in the last quarter. 94.97% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MRC has been the subject of several research reports. Susquehanna lowered their target price on MRC Global from $15.00 to $13.00 and set a "positive" rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 14th. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their target price on shares of MRC Global from $17.00 to $16.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Monday, March 17th. Loop Capital lowered their price target on shares of MRC Global from $18.00 to $17.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, March 18th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered shares of MRC Global from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, March 17th.

MRC Global Trading Up 3.3 %

MRC Global stock opened at $12.08 on Friday. MRC Global Inc. has a one year low of $9.23 and a one year high of $15.41. The stock has a market cap of $1.04 billion, a PE ratio of 13.89 and a beta of 1.67. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a current ratio of 1.99. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $11.26 and a two-hundred day moving average of $12.65.

MRC Global (NYSE:MRC - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, March 14th. The oil and gas company reported $0.08 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.08. MRC Global had a net margin of 3.09% and a return on equity of 19.58%. The company had revenue of $736.80 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $726.90 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.23 EPS. MRC Global's revenue was down 10.3% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts anticipate that MRC Global Inc. will post 0.86 EPS for the current fiscal year.

MRC Global declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a share repurchase plan on Friday, January 3rd that permits the company to repurchase $125.00 million in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the oil and gas company to repurchase up to 11% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are usually a sign that the company's board believes its shares are undervalued.

About MRC Global

MRC Global Inc, through its subsidiaries, distributes pipes, valves, fittings, and other infrastructure products and services in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It offers ball, butterfly, gate, globe, check, diaphragm, needle, and plug valves; other products, such as lined corrosion resistant piping systems, control valves, valve automation, and top work components; and valve modification services, including valve control extensions, welding, hydrotesting, painting, coating, x-raying, and actuation assembly.

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