First Trust Advisors LP Sells 36,561 Shares of Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. (NASDAQ:ARLP)

First Trust Advisors LP trimmed its holdings in shares of Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. (NASDAQ:ARLP - Free Report) by 14.4% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 217,579 shares of the energy company's stock after selling 36,561 shares during the period. First Trust Advisors LP owned approximately 0.17% of Alliance Resource Partners worth $5,720,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Tidal Investments LLC raised its stake in Alliance Resource Partners by 1.2% during the third quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 34,283 shares of the energy company's stock valued at $857,000 after buying an additional 391 shares during the last quarter. Cadent Capital Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Alliance Resource Partners by 1.9% during the fourth quarter. Cadent Capital Advisors LLC now owns 23,816 shares of the energy company's stock valued at $626,000 after acquiring an additional 453 shares in the last quarter. BCS Wealth Management raised its position in shares of Alliance Resource Partners by 2.4% in the 4th quarter. BCS Wealth Management now owns 19,971 shares of the energy company's stock worth $525,000 after purchasing an additional 476 shares during the last quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC bought a new position in Alliance Resource Partners in the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC grew its position in Alliance Resource Partners by 1.0% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 120,294 shares of the energy company's stock valued at $3,163,000 after purchasing an additional 1,200 shares during the last quarter. 18.11% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insider Transactions at Alliance Resource Partners

In related news, SVP Timothy J. Whelan sold 50,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Friday, March 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $25.13, for a total value of $1,256,500.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 93,850 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,358,450.50. This trade represents a 34.76 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Company insiders own 16.80% of the company's stock.

Alliance Resource Partners Stock Performance

ARLP traded down $0.04 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $27.17. 161,290 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 362,635. The company has a quick ratio of 1.69, a current ratio of 2.36 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24. The company's 50-day moving average is $26.21 and its 200 day moving average is $26.61. Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. has a 52 week low of $21.84 and a 52 week high of $30.56. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.49 billion, a PE ratio of 9.84 and a beta of 0.52.

Alliance Resource Partners (NASDAQ:ARLP - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, April 28th. The energy company reported $0.60 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.63 by ($0.03). Alliance Resource Partners had a return on equity of 19.09% and a net margin of 14.74%. The firm had revenue of $540.47 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $556.31 million. On average, research analysts expect that Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. will post 2.72 EPS for the current year.

Alliance Resource Partners Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, May 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, May 8th will be paid a $0.70 dividend. This represents a $2.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 10.31%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 8th. Alliance Resource Partners's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 132.08%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on ARLP. Benchmark reiterated a "buy" rating and issued a $29.00 target price on shares of Alliance Resource Partners in a research note on Tuesday, April 29th. StockNews.com raised Alliance Resource Partners from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Sunday.

Alliance Resource Partners Company Profile

Alliance Resource Partners, L.P., a diversified natural resource company, produces and markets coal primarily to utilities and industrial users in the United States. The company operates through four segments: Illinois Basin Coal Operations, Appalachia Coal Operations, Oil & Gas Royalties, and Coal Royalties.