Trigran Investments Lowered Kmg Chemicals (KMG) Holding; Mercer International (MERC)’s Sentiment Is 1.31

August 30, 2017 - By Linda Rogers

Mercer International Inc. is a producer of northern bleached softwood kraft pulp, which is pulp that is sold on the open market. The company has market cap of $724.97 million. The Firm also produces and sells tall oil, a by-product of its production process, which is used as both a chemical additive and as a green energy source. It has a 18.96 P/E ratio. It produces and sells NBSK pulp, which is a bleached kraft pulp manufactured using northern softwood.

Trigran Investments Inc decreased Kmg Chemicals Inc (KMG) stake by 15.72% reported in 2016Q4 SEC filing. Trigran Investments Inc sold 272,867 shares as Kmg Chemicals Inc (KMG)’s stock rose 52.84%. The Trigran Investments Inc holds 1.46 million shares with $56.89 million value, down from 1.74M last quarter. Kmg Chemicals Inc now has $576.65M valuation. The stock rose 0.64% or $0.31 reaching $48.5. About 876 shares traded. KMG Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE:KMG) has risen 169.63% since August 30, 2016 and is uptrending. It has outperformed by 152.93% the S&P500.

About 2,913 shares traded. Mercer International Inc. (MERC) has risen 25.28% since August 30, 2016 and is uptrending. It has outperformed by 8.58% the S&P500.

Since January 1, 0001, it had 8 insider purchases, and 1 sale for $2.07 million activity.

Ratings analysis reveals 0 of Mercer Intl’s analysts are positive. Out of 2 Wall Street analysts rating Mercer Intl, 0 give it “Buy”, 0 “Sell” rating, while 2 recommend “Hold”. MERC was included in 2 notes of analysts from January 6, 2017. The rating was downgraded by Standpoint Research to “Hold” on Monday, January 23. The stock has “Sector Perform” rating by RBC Capital Markets on Friday, January 6.

Iat Reinsurance Co Ltd. holds 30.2% of its portfolio in Mercer International Inc. for 16.46 million shares. Knighthead Capital Management Llc owns 2.69 million shares or 4.74% of their US portfolio. Moreover, Gates Capital Management Inc. has 4.47% invested in the company for 10.96 million shares. The Virginia-based Aegis Financial Corp has invested 4.16% in the stock. Redwood Capital Management Llc, a New Jersey-based fund reported 2.11 million shares.

Since March 14, 2017, it had 0 buys, and 22 selling transactions for $6.88 million activity. HATCHER DAVID L had sold 6,000 shares worth $269,430 on Friday, April 7. $79,273 worth of KMG Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE:KMG) was sold by Kremling Ernest C. II. Another trade for 9,926 shares valued at $427,811 was sold by LAU ANDREW C. Another trade for 3,100 shares valued at $133,543 was sold by GONSER CHRISTOPHER W. Twitchell Karen A. sold $261,060 worth of stock or 6,000 shares.

Analysts await KMG Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE:KMG) to report earnings on October, 12. They expect $0.53 earnings per share, up 39.47% or $0.15 from last year’s $0.38 per share. KMG’s profit will be $6.30M for 22.88 P/E if the $0.53 EPS becomes a reality. After $0.53 actual earnings per share reported by KMG Chemicals, Inc. for the previous quarter, Wall Street now forecasts 0.00% EPS growth.

Among 3 analysts covering KMG Chemicals (NYSE:KMG), 2 have Buy rating, 0 Sell and 1 Hold. Therefore 67% are positive. KMG Chemicals had 6 analyst reports since August 12, 2015 according to SRatingsIntel. The stock has “Buy” rating by Gabelli on Monday, May 1. As per Monday, August 31, the company rating was downgraded by Zacks. Gabelli downgraded it to “Hold” rating and $37 target in Wednesday, December 14 report. Global Hunter Securities upgraded the stock to “Neutral” rating in Wednesday, August 26 report. Seaport Global Securities upgraded the stock to “Buy” rating in Friday, December 11 report. The rating was downgraded by Zacks to “Strong-Buy” on Wednesday, August 12.