Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile (NYSE:SQM) Hits New 1-Year Low - Should You Sell?

Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. (NYSE:SQM - Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $29.41 and last traded at $30.03, with a volume of 1412156 shares. The stock had previously closed at $30.43.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have commented on SQM. BMO Capital Markets lowered their price target on Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile from $55.00 to $45.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, May 29th. Scotiabank cut their price objective on Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile from $50.00 to $45.00 and set a "sector outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, May 30th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $41.86.

Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile Price Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 2.05, a current ratio of 2.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.74. The firm's 50-day moving average is $34.49 and its 200-day moving average is $37.73. The company has a market cap of $9.23 billion, a PE ratio of -29.10, a PEG ratio of 5.00 and a beta of 1.04.

Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile (NYSE:SQM - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, May 28th. The basic materials company reported $0.48 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.63 by ($0.15). The firm had revenue of $1.04 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $1.05 billion. Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile had a positive return on equity of 16.12% and a negative net margin of 6.74%. The firm's revenue was down 4.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted ($3.04) EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. will post -1.31 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in SQM. Brooklyn Investment Group grew its position in shares of Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile by 61,700.0% in the 1st quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 618 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 617 shares during the period. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise bought a new position in shares of Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile during the first quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Kestra Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp lifted its holdings in shares of Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile by 803.4% during the fourth quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 1,075 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $39,000 after purchasing an additional 956 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Grove Bank & Trust bought a new stake in shares of Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile in the 1st quarter worth approximately $46,000. 12.41% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile

Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile SA operates as a mining company worldwide. The company offers specialty plant nutrients, including sodium potassium nitrate, specialty blends, and other specialty fertilizers under Ultrasol, Qrop, Speedfol, Allganic, Ultrasoline, ProP, and Prohydric brands. It also provides iodine and its derivatives for use in medical, agricultural, industrial, and human and animal nutrition products comprising x-ray contrast media, biocides, antiseptics and disinfectants, pharmaceutical intermediates, polarizing films for LCD and LED screens, chemicals, organic compounds, and pigments, as well as added to edible salt to prevent iodine deficiency disorders.