Natural Resource Partners (NYSE:NRP) Sees Unusually-High Trading Volume - Here's What Happened

Key Points

• Natural Resource Partners experienced a significant increase in trading volume, with 14,674 shares traded, marking a 25% rise from the previous session.
• Analysts from Wall Street Zen upgraded the stock from a "hold" to a "buy" rating, reflecting improved confidence in the company's performance.
• The company announced a quarterly dividend of $0.75, amounting to an annualized dividend of $3.00, with a yield of 2.9% and a payout ratio of 28.20%.

Shares of Natural Resource Partners LP (NYSE:NRP - Get Free Report) saw unusually-strong trading volume on Wednesday . Approximately 14,674 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 25% from the previous session's volume of 11,771 shares.The stock last traded at $103.00 and had previously closed at $103.56.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, Wall Street Zen raised Natural Resource Partners from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Saturday, August 9th.

Natural Resource Partners Stock Down 1.5%

The company has a market capitalization of $1.33 billion, a PE ratio of 9.63 and a beta of 0.29. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $101.52 and a 200 day moving average of $100.04. The company has a quick ratio of 2.20, a current ratio of 2.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15.

Natural Resource Partners (NYSE:NRP - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 6th. The energy company reported $2.52 earnings per share for the quarter. The company had revenue of $50.10 million for the quarter. Natural Resource Partners had a net margin of 65.19% and a return on equity of 27.76%.

Natural Resource Partners Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, August 26th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, August 19th were paid a $0.75 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, August 19th. This represents a $3.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.9%. Natural Resource Partners's payout ratio is presently 28.20%.

Institutional Trading of Natural Resource Partners

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of NRP. Jane Street Group LLC lifted its holdings in Natural Resource Partners by 90.1% during the 4th quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 5,710 shares of the energy company's stock worth $634,000 after purchasing an additional 2,707 shares in the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE boosted its holdings in shares of Natural Resource Partners by 48.9% in the 4th quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 57,085 shares of the energy company's stock worth $6,336,000 after purchasing an additional 18,754 shares in the last quarter. Progeny 3 Inc. purchased a new stake in Natural Resource Partners in the fourth quarter worth approximately $15,732,000. Formidable Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Natural Resource Partners in the 4th quarter valued at $222,000. Finally, DHK Financial Advisors Inc. boosted its position in Natural Resource Partners by 11.7% during the first quarter. DHK Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 4,404 shares of the energy company's stock valued at $458,000 after buying an additional 462 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 31.77% of the company's stock.

About Natural Resource Partners

Natural Resource Partners L.P., together with its subsidiaries, owns, manages, and leases a portfolio of mineral properties in the United States. It operates in two segments, Mineral Rights and Soda Ash. The company owns interests in coal, soda ash, trona, and other natural resources. Its coal reserves are primarily located in the Appalachia Basin, the Illinois Basin, and the Northern Powder River Basin in the United States; industrial minerals and aggregates properties located in the United States; and oil and gas properties located in Louisiana.