NewMarket Co. (NYSE:NEU) Position Boosted by LPL Financial LLC

LPL Financial LLC lifted its holdings in shares of NewMarket Co. (NYSE:NEU - Free Report) by 49.2% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 4,145 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock after buying an additional 1,367 shares during the period. LPL Financial LLC's holdings in NewMarket were worth $2,190,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in NEU. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of NewMarket in the fourth quarter worth $40,000. Centricity Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of NewMarket during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $56,000. Blue Trust Inc. lifted its position in NewMarket by 55.3% in the fourth quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 118 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $65,000 after purchasing an additional 42 shares during the period. Kohmann Bosshard Financial Services LLC acquired a new position in shares of NewMarket during the 4th quarter valued at $74,000. Finally, Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC boosted its stake in NewMarket by 481.5% during the fourth quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 157 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock valued at $83,000 after buying an additional 130 shares in the last quarter. 61.09% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

NewMarket Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:NEU traded up $5.59 on Friday, reaching $564.28. 34,203 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 36,597. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 2.75 and a quick ratio of 1.40. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.35 billion, a PE ratio of 11.70 and a beta of 0.44. The company's 50 day moving average is $548.85 and its 200-day moving average is $533.10. NewMarket Co. has a fifty-two week low of $480.00 and a fifty-two week high of $596.89.

NewMarket (NYSE:NEU - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, February 3rd. The specialty chemicals company reported $11.56 earnings per share for the quarter. NewMarket had a return on equity of 35.48% and a net margin of 16.59%.

NewMarket Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 1st. Investors of record on Monday, March 17th were given a $2.75 dividend. This represents a $11.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.95%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 17th. This is an increase from NewMarket's previous quarterly dividend of $2.50. NewMarket's dividend payout ratio is 22.82%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, StockNews.com downgraded shares of NewMarket from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, February 19th.

NewMarket Company Profile

NewMarket Corporation, through its subsidiaries, primarily engages in the manufacture and sale of petroleum additives. The company offers lubricant additives for use in various vehicle and industrial applications, including engine oils, transmission fluids, off-road powertrain and hydraulic systems, gear oils, hydraulic oils, turbine oils, and other applications where metal-to-metal moving parts are utilized; engine oil additives designed for passenger cars, motorcycles, on and off-road heavy duty commercial equipment, locomotives, and engines in ocean-going vessels; driveline additives designed for products, such as transmission fluids, axle fluids, and off-road powertrain fluids; and industrial additives designed for products for industrial applications consisting of hydraulic fluids, grease, industrial gear fluids, and industrial specialty applications, such as turbine oils.