NL Industries (NYSE:NL) Rating Increased to Hold at Wall Street Zen

NL Industries (NYSE:NL - Get Free Report) was upgraded by stock analysts at Wall Street Zen from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note issued on Saturday.

Separately, Weiss Ratings downgraded shares of NL Industries from a "hold (c-)" rating to a "sell (d+)" rating in a report on Tuesday, March 10th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Sell rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Sell".

NL Industries Stock Down 0.3%

NL opened at $5.99 on Friday. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $5.89 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $5.86. NL Industries has a 52 week low of $5.04 and a 52 week high of $8.48. The company has a market capitalization of $292.67 million, a PE ratio of -8.68 and a beta of 0.19.

NL Industries (NYSE:NL - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 6th. The basic materials company reported $0.09 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.23 by ($0.14). NL Industries had a negative net margin of 21.56% and a negative return on equity of 8.74%. The company had revenue of $40.57 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $40.57 million.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On NL Industries

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Strs Ohio purchased a new position in shares of NL Industries during the first quarter worth approximately $35,000. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co increased its position in shares of NL Industries by 80.4% during the fourth quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co now owns 5,985 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 2,667 shares during the period. Wells Fargo & Company MN increased its position in shares of NL Industries by 34.3% during the fourth quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 9,445 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $52,000 after acquiring an additional 2,413 shares during the period. NewEdge Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of NL Industries during the fourth quarter worth approximately $57,000. Finally, Money Concepts Capital Corp purchased a new position in shares of NL Industries during the first quarter worth approximately $92,000. 10.67% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About NL Industries

NL Industries, Inc is a U.S.-based industrial minerals company whose primary focus is the mining, upgrading and marketing of titanium feedstocks. The company's products include synthetic rutile and chloride slag, which serve as key raw materials for producers of titanium dioxide pigment. These pigments are widely used as whitening and opacifying agents in coatings, plastics, paper and specialty applications.

NL Industries serves a global customer base, supplying feedstocks under long-term agreements and through spot transactions.

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