Oil-Dri Co. of America (NYSE:ODC) Upgraded by StockNews.com to Buy Rating

Oil-Dri Co. of America (NYSE:ODC - Get Free Report) was upgraded by StockNews.com from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note issued to investors on Monday.

Oil-Dri Co. of America Trading Up 2.3 %

NYSE ODC traded up $0.98 during trading on Monday, hitting $43.71. The company had a trading volume of 29,983 shares, compared to its average volume of 42,090. The company's fifty day moving average is $44.65 and its 200-day moving average is $35.30. Oil-Dri Co. of America has a one year low of $29.47 and a one year high of $49.72. The company has a current ratio of 2.63, a quick ratio of 1.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20. The company has a market cap of $637.87 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.12 and a beta of 0.54.

Oil-Dri Co. of America (NYSE:ODC - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, March 11th. The specialty chemicals company reported $0.89 EPS for the quarter. Oil-Dri Co. of America had a net margin of 9.92% and a return on equity of 21.84%. The firm had revenue of $116.91 million for the quarter.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Ellen-Blair Chube sold 3,500 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, April 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $42.51, for a total value of $148,785.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 11,820 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $502,468.20. This trade represents a 22.85 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders own 11.66% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Trust Co. of Vermont raised its holdings in Oil-Dri Co. of America by 100.0% in the 1st quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont now owns 600 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 300 shares during the period. New York State Teachers Retirement System increased its position in Oil-Dri Co. of America by 98.0% in the first quarter. New York State Teachers Retirement System now owns 891 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $41,000 after buying an additional 441 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its position in shares of Oil-Dri Co. of America by 9,083.3% during the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 2,755 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock valued at $127,000 after buying an additional 2,725 shares in the last quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of Oil-Dri Co. of America during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $131,000. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its holdings in Oil-Dri Co. of America by 12.6% in the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 2,401 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $166,000 after acquiring an additional 268 shares in the last quarter. 49.01% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Oil-Dri Co. of America Company Profile

Oil-Dri Corporation of America is a manufacturer and supplier of specialty sorbent products for the pet care, animal health and nutrition, fluids purification, agricultural ingredients, sports field, industrial and automotive markets. It operates through the Business to Business Products Group and Retail and Wholesale Products Group segments.