NewMarket (NYSE:NEU) Shares Down 5.8% – What’s Next?

NewMarket Corporation (NYSE:NEU)’s stock price fell 5.8% during trading on Thursday . The company traded as low as $671.90 and last traded at $668.0080. 155,612 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 8% from the average session volume of 144,223 shares. The stock had previously closed at $709.31.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of NewMarket in a research report on Monday, December 29th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Buy”.

NewMarket Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46, a quick ratio of 1.43 and a current ratio of 2.68. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.12 billion, a PE ratio of 13.81 and a beta of 0.49. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $738.87 and its two-hundred day moving average is $761.86.

NewMarket (NYSE:NEU) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The specialty chemicals company reported $10.67 earnings per share for the quarter. The business had revenue of $690.31 million for the quarter. NewMarket had a return on equity of 28.53% and a net margin of 16.33%.

NewMarket Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 2nd. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 15th were issued a dividend of $3.00 per share. This is a positive change from NewMarket’s previous quarterly dividend of $2.75. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 15th. This represents a $12.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.8%. NewMarket’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 25.35%.

Institutional Trading of NewMarket

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Archford Capital Strategies LLC purchased a new position in NewMarket in the fourth quarter worth approximately $1,405,000. Silver Oak Securities Incorporated increased its holdings in NewMarket by 6.6% in the fourth quarter. Silver Oak Securities Incorporated now owns 1,033 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock valued at $721,000 after buying an additional 64 shares during the last quarter. Chesley Taft & Associates LLC purchased a new stake in NewMarket during the 4th quarter worth about $770,000. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC lifted its holdings in NewMarket by 28.7% during the 4th quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC now owns 1,277 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $878,000 after buying an additional 285 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Pallas Capital Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of NewMarket by 11.9% during the 4th quarter. Pallas Capital Advisors LLC now owns 366 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $251,000 after acquiring an additional 39 shares in the last quarter. 61.09% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About NewMarket

NewMarket Corporation is a specialty chemicals and lubricants company headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. Through its Valvoline business, the company markets a broad portfolio of automotive aftermarket products, including engine oils, transmission fluids, greases and vehicle care solutions. Valvoline products are distributed through retail and commercial channels as well as a network of quick-lube service centers that provide oil changes, preventive maintenance and related services.

In its chemical additives segment, NewMarket develops, manufactures and sells performance additives for fuels, lubricants and industrial fluids.