Marshall Wace LLP Buys Shares of 31,700 MRC Global Inc. (NYSE:MRC)

Marshall Wace LLP acquired a new stake in MRC Global Inc. (NYSE:MRC - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm acquired 31,700 shares of the oil and gas company's stock, valued at approximately $405,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Huntington National Bank bought a new position in MRC Global during the fourth quarter worth about $34,000. Sterling Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in MRC Global by 821.2% during the fourth quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC now owns 2,699 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 2,406 shares during the period. Meeder Asset Management Inc. bought a new stake in MRC Global in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $56,000. Longboard Asset Management LP acquired a new stake in MRC Global in the fourth quarter worth $134,000. Finally, Ieq Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of MRC Global during the fourth quarter worth $187,000. 94.97% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

MRC Global Stock Down 5.8 %

MRC traded down $0.71 on Wednesday, hitting $11.50. 1,670,574 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 645,228. The company has a market cap of $991.35 million, a PE ratio of 13.22 and a beta of 1.63. MRC Global Inc. has a 12 month low of $9.23 and a 12 month high of $15.41. The stock's fifty day moving average is $11.25 and its 200-day moving average is $12.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a current ratio of 1.99.

MRC Global (NYSE:MRC - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 6th. The oil and gas company reported $0.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.08 by $0.06. The firm had revenue of $712.00 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $710.00 million. MRC Global had a net margin of 3.09% and a return on equity of 19.58%. The company's quarterly revenue was down 11.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.20 earnings per share. Equities research analysts predict that MRC Global Inc. will post 0.86 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on the stock. Susquehanna dropped their price objective on shares of MRC Global from $15.00 to $13.00 and set a "positive" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 14th. Loop Capital decreased their price objective on MRC Global from $18.00 to $17.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, March 18th. StockNews.com cut MRC Global from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, March 17th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price target on MRC Global from $17.00 to $16.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, March 17th.

MRC Global Profile

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.