Natixis Buys 101,838 Shares of Vale S.A. (NYSE:VALE)

Natixis increased its holdings in Vale S.A. (NYSE:VALE - Free Report) by 1,232.3% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 110,102 shares of the basic materials company's stock after buying an additional 101,838 shares during the period. Natixis' holdings in Vale were worth $977,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Brooklyn Investment Group grew its stake in Vale by 215.9% in the 4th quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 2,780 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 1,900 shares in the last quarter. IFP Advisors Inc grew its position in Vale by 206.4% in the fourth quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 2,877 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 1,938 shares in the last quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC increased its stake in Vale by 3,092.0% in the fourth quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 3,192 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 3,092 shares during the last quarter. Stonebridge Financial Group LLC bought a new position in Vale in the fourth quarter valued at $30,000. Finally, Atlas Capital Advisors Inc. raised its position in Vale by 68.3% during the fourth quarter. Atlas Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 4,000 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 1,623 shares in the last quarter. 21.85% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Vale Stock Up 0.2 %

Shares of NYSE:VALE traded up $0.02 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $9.62. The stock had a trading volume of 7,942,143 shares, compared to its average volume of 30,496,356. The company has a market capitalization of $43.64 billion, a PE ratio of 6.68, a PEG ratio of 0.31 and a beta of 0.73. The company has a quick ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39. The firm's fifty day moving average is $9.56 and its 200 day moving average is $9.61. Vale S.A. has a 12 month low of $8.06 and a 12 month high of $13.14.

Vale (NYSE:VALE - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 24th. The basic materials company reported $0.35 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.37 by ($0.02). The firm had revenue of $8.12 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $8.39 billion. Vale had a net margin of 16.15% and a return on equity of 17.38%. Analysts anticipate that Vale S.A. will post 1.85 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Vale Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 21st. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 10th were issued a $0.3758 dividend. This represents a yield of 7.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 10th. This is a boost from Vale's previous semi-annual dividend of $0.30. Vale's dividend payout ratio is 54.35%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

VALE has been the subject of several research reports. Jefferies Financial Group cut their target price on Vale from $14.00 to $11.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, January 6th. Bank of America raised shares of Vale from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and increased their target price for the company from $11.00 to $11.50 in a report on Thursday, April 10th. Scotiabank lowered their price target on shares of Vale from $14.00 to $13.00 and set a "sector perform" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, January 6th. UBS Group reduced their price objective on Vale from $10.50 to $9.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a "sector perform" rating and issued a $11.00 price objective (down previously from $12.00) on shares of Vale in a report on Thursday, April 17th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Vale currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $12.13.

Vale Profile

Vale SA, together with its subsidiaries, produces and sells iron ore and iron ore pellets for use as raw materials in steelmaking in Brazil and internationally. The company operates through Iron Solutions and Energy Transition Materials segments. The Iron Solutions segment produces and extracts iron ore and pellets, manganese, and other ferrous products; and provides related logistic services.