Clearwater Paper Corporation (NYSE:CLW) Given Consensus Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Shares of Clearwater Paper Corporation (NYSE:CLW) have been given a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by the five brokerages that are covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation and four have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $30.00.

Several research firms recently issued reports on CLW. Cowen started coverage on Clearwater Paper in a report on Monday, September 22nd. They issued a “buy” rating on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada lowered their price target on shares of Clearwater Paper from $33.00 to $30.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. TD Securities set a $30.00 price target on shares of Clearwater Paper and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, September 22nd. TD Cowen started coverage on shares of Clearwater Paper in a report on Monday, September 22nd. They issued a “buy” rating and a $30.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised shares of Clearwater Paper from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, November 1st.

Insider Activity at Clearwater Paper

In related news, VP Steve M. Bowden sold 8,889 shares of Clearwater Paper stock in a transaction on Friday, November 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $18.14, for a total transaction of $161,246.46. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president directly owned 68,516 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,242,880.24. The trade was a 11.48% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 3.55% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Clearwater Paper

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in CLW. Optiver Holding B.V. bought a new stake in shares of Clearwater Paper in the 3rd quarter valued at about $44,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC grew its holdings in Clearwater Paper by 34.7% during the second quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 2,185 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $60,000 after purchasing an additional 563 shares during the period. CWM LLC increased its stake in Clearwater Paper by 2,215.1% in the second quarter. CWM LLC now owns 3,380 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $92,000 after purchasing an additional 3,234 shares in the last quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in Clearwater Paper in the third quarter worth $114,000. Finally, New York State Common Retirement Fund boosted its position in shares of Clearwater Paper by 104.9% during the third quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund now owns 6,838 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $142,000 after purchasing an additional 3,500 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 89.98% of the company’s stock.

Clearwater Paper Stock Performance

Shares of Clearwater Paper stock opened at $17.96 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43, a current ratio of 2.10 and a quick ratio of 0.88. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $18.33 and a 200 day simple moving average of $22.56. Clearwater Paper has a fifty-two week low of $16.44 and a fifty-two week high of $33.56. The firm has a market cap of $288.09 million, a P/E ratio of 2.14 and a beta of 0.21.

Clearwater Paper (NYSE:CLW) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, March 7th. The basic materials company reported ($0.30) EPS for the quarter. The firm had revenue of ($358.30) million during the quarter. Clearwater Paper had a net margin of 9.14% and a negative return on equity of 3.65%.

Clearwater Paper Company Profile

Clearwater Paper Corporation manufactures and supplies bleached paperboards, and consumer and parent roll tissues in the United States and internationally. It operates through Pulp and Paperboard, and Consumer Products segments. The Pulp and Paperboard segment manufactures and markets bleached paperboard; Solid Bleached Sulfate paperboard that is used to produce folding cartons, liquid packaging, cups and plates, blister and carded packaging, and top sheet and commercial printing items; and hardwood and softwood pulp, as well as offers services that include custom sheeting, slitting, and cutting.