Marshall Wace LLP Sells 1,215,801 Shares of United States Steel Co. (NYSE:X)

Marshall Wace LLP lowered its position in shares of United States Steel Co. (NYSE:X - Free Report) by 56.0% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 955,230 shares of the basic materials company's stock after selling 1,215,801 shares during the period. Marshall Wace LLP owned about 0.42% of United States Steel worth $32,468,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Bessemer Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of United States Steel by 64.0% in the fourth quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 710 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 277 shares during the last quarter. Ameliora Wealth Management Ltd. bought a new stake in United States Steel in the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. ORG Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new stake in United States Steel in the 4th quarter valued at about $30,000. Parkworth Wealth Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of United States Steel during the 4th quarter worth approximately $31,000. Finally, Lee Danner & Bass Inc. purchased a new position in shares of United States Steel in the 4th quarter worth approximately $32,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.92% of the company's stock.

United States Steel Price Performance

NYSE X traded up $0.18 on Thursday, hitting $42.17. The stock had a trading volume of 759,378 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,289,671. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $40.27 and a 200-day moving average of $37.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a current ratio of 1.55. The company has a market capitalization of $9.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.30, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.53 and a beta of 1.79. United States Steel Co. has a 52-week low of $26.92 and a 52-week high of $46.18.

United States Steel (NYSE:X - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 30th. The basic materials company reported ($0.18) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.20 by ($0.38). United States Steel had a net margin of 2.46% and a return on equity of 4.27%. Equities analysts expect that United States Steel Co. will post 1.43 EPS for the current year.

United States Steel Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 12th. Investors of record on Monday, February 10th were issued a dividend of $0.05 per share. This represents a $0.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.47%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 10th. United States Steel's dividend payout ratio is currently 13.42%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Bank of America initiated coverage on shares of United States Steel in a research note on Monday, January 6th. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $35.00 target price on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued a "neutral" rating and set a $38.00 target price (down from $43.00) on shares of United States Steel in a research report on Wednesday, April 16th. BMO Capital Markets reissued a "market perform" rating and set a $45.00 target price on shares of United States Steel in a research report on Monday, March 31st. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their target price on shares of United States Steel from $45.00 to $40.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, January 6th. Finally, Morgan Stanley upped their price target on shares of United States Steel from $39.00 to $43.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Friday, March 7th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $39.94.

United States Steel Profile

United States Steel Corporation produces and sells flat-rolled and tubular steel products primarily in North America and Europe. The company operates through North American Flat-Rolled (Flat-Rolled), Mini Mill, U. S. Steel Europe (USSE), and Tubular Products (Tubular) segments. The Flat-Rolled segment offers slabs, strip mill plates, sheets, and tin mill products, as well as iron ore and coke.