Lsb Industries (NYSE:LXU) Shares Gap Up – Here’s Why

Shares of Lsb Industries Inc. (NYSE:LXU) gapped up before the market opened on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $9.62, but opened at $10.22. Lsb Industries shares last traded at $10.1450, with a volume of 138,039 shares changing hands.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Lsb Industries from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, August 1st. Royal Bank Of Canada upgraded Lsb Industries from a “sector perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and set a $13.00 price target on the stock in a report on Monday. UBS Group set a $16.00 price objective on Lsb Industries and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 13th. Finally, Weiss Ratings lowered Lsb Industries from a “hold (c)” rating to a “hold (c-)” rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 4th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $14.67.

Lsb Industries Trading Up 4.6%

The company has a market capitalization of $724.32 million, a P/E ratio of 20.13 and a beta of 0.30. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $11.29 and its 200-day moving average is $12.31. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 2.43 and a quick ratio of 2.31.

Lsb Industries (NYSE:LXU) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 29th. The conglomerate reported ($0.09) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.33 by ($0.42). Lsb Industries had a net margin of 5.58% and a return on equity of 6.98%. The firm had revenue of $168.09 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $155.45 million. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Lsb Industries Inc. will post 0.53 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Lsb Industries

In other Lsb Industries news, Director Lynn F. White sold 40,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $11.80, for a total value of $472,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 202,489 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,389,370.20. This represents a 16.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, SVP Kristy Carver sold 9,554 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, June 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $12.38, for a total value of $118,278.52. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president owned 47,452 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $587,455.76. This trade represents a 16.76% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 3.00% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of LXU. Kestra Advisory Services LLC bought a new stake in Lsb Industries during the fourth quarter worth about $29,000. Russell Investments Group Ltd. grew its holdings in Lsb Industries by 2,900.0% in the third quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 4,500 shares of the conglomerate’s stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 4,350 shares during the period. Aquatic Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in Lsb Industries in the third quarter worth about $42,000. Persistent Asset Partners Ltd bought a new position in shares of Lsb Industries during the second quarter valued at approximately $47,000. Finally, Tower Research Capital LLC TRC increased its stake in shares of Lsb Industries by 90.3% during the second quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 6,019 shares of the conglomerate’s stock valued at $47,000 after purchasing an additional 2,856 shares in the last quarter. 73.67% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Lsb Industries Company Profile

LSB Industries, Inc (NYSE: LXU) is an Oklahoma City–based manufacturer of chemical products serving the agricultural, industrial and defense markets. The company operates primarily through two segments: Fertilizer Solutions and Commodities Solutions. Through its Fertilizer Solutions segment, LSB produces primary nitrogen products—including anhydrous ammonia and technical-grade ammonium nitrate—that are sold to fertilizer distributors and agricultural retailers across North America. Its Commodities Solutions segment manufactures and sells nitric acid, sodium nitrate and other nitrate-based compounds for industrial applications such as mining, water treatment and specialty chemical production, as well as defense-related formulations used in munitions and pyrotechnics.

Incorporated in 1969, LSB Industries has grown from a single production site to multiple manufacturing facilities strategically located in the central United States.