National Steel (NYSE:SID) Reaches New 1-Year Low - Should You Sell?

Key Points

• National Steel Company (NYSE:SID) shares hit a new **52-week low** of $1.24, trading at **$1.26** with significant volume of over 3 million shares.
• Despite the low stock price, **Wall Street Zen** upgraded National Steel from a "hold" to a "buy" rating, though the consensus remains a "Sell" with an average price target of **$1.30**.

National Steel Company (NYSE:SID - Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $1.24 and last traded at $1.26, with a volume of 3145114 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $1.27.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, Wall Street Zen raised National Steel from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, May 16th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Sell rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Sell" and an average target price of $1.30.

National Steel Stock Down 1.1%

The company has a current ratio of 1.35, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.60. The company has a market capitalization of $1.77 billion, a P/E ratio of -4.60 and a beta of 1.64. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $1.43 and a 200 day moving average price of $1.52.

National Steel (NYSE:SID - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, July 31st. The basic materials company reported ($0.02) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.07 by ($0.09). The firm had revenue of $1.91 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.98 billion. National Steel had a negative net margin of 5.06% and a negative return on equity of 13.90%. On average, research analysts anticipate that National Steel Company will post -0.02 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On National Steel

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in SID. Kapitalo Investimentos Ltda lifted its stake in shares of National Steel by 1,530.8% in the first quarter. Kapitalo Investimentos Ltda now owns 25,979 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $43,000 after acquiring an additional 24,386 shares during the period. Pinnacle Wealth Planning Services Inc. raised its holdings in National Steel by 41.3% during the 4th quarter. Pinnacle Wealth Planning Services Inc. now owns 31,855 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $46,000 after purchasing an additional 9,314 shares during the last quarter. First Affirmative Financial Network lifted its position in shares of National Steel by 56.7% in the 1st quarter. First Affirmative Financial Network now owns 30,672 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $51,000 after purchasing an additional 11,098 shares during the period. Inspire Investing LLC boosted its stake in shares of National Steel by 155.7% in the 1st quarter. Inspire Investing LLC now owns 31,681 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $53,000 after purchasing an additional 19,289 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Savvy Advisors Inc. increased its position in shares of National Steel by 18.7% during the first quarter. Savvy Advisors Inc. now owns 42,872 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $72,000 after buying an additional 6,739 shares during the period.

About National Steel

Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional operates as an integrated steel producer in Brazil and Latin America. It operates through five segments: Steel Industry, Mining, Logistics, Energy, and Cement. The company offers flat steel products, such as hot and cold rolled, galvanized, galvalume, pre-painted, and metal sheets products; coil, sheets, and derivatives; tiles and derivatives, pipes, and profiles; long steel products; steel packaging solutions for the food industry; chemical packaging solution; and carbochemical products.