GrafTech International Ltd. (NYSE:EAF) Given Average Rating of “Hold” by Brokerages

Shares of GrafTech International Ltd. (NYSE:EAF) have been given an average rating of “Hold” by the five analysts that are covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating. The average 12-month target price among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $1.88.

A number of analysts recently issued reports on the company. UBS Group started coverage on GrafTech International in a research report on Tuesday, January 16th. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $2.00 target price for the company. Royal Bank of Canada cut their target price on shares of GrafTech International from $3.00 to $2.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, February 16th. Citigroup decreased their price target on shares of GrafTech International from $4.00 to $2.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 10th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets dropped their price objective on shares of GrafTech International from $2.00 to $1.50 and set a “market perform” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, February 15th.

GrafTech International Stock Performance

Shares of EAF opened at $1.78 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of $456.48 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -1.63 and a beta of 1.05. GrafTech International has a 52-week low of $1.18 and a 52-week high of $5.32. The company has a quick ratio of 1.91, a current ratio of 3.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 24.74. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $1.61 and a 200 day moving average price of $1.94.

GrafTech International (NYSE:EAF) last issued its earnings results on Friday, April 26th. The company reported ($0.10) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.18) by $0.08. GrafTech International had a negative net margin of 45.08% and a negative return on equity of 66.36%. The business had revenue of $136.80 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $125.73 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted ($0.02) EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was down 1.4% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts predict that GrafTech International will post -0.43 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, major shareholder Colonial House Capital Ltd purchased 179,279 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 26th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $1.48 per share, for a total transaction of $265,332.92. Following the completion of the purchase, the insider now directly owns 29,714,854 shares in the company, valued at approximately $43,977,983.92. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. In the last quarter, insiders bought 3,179,137 shares of company stock worth $5,604,648. 0.38% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of GrafTech International

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Strategic Financial Concepts LLC purchased a new stake in shares of GrafTech International during the 3rd quarter worth $44,000. CWM LLC lifted its position in shares of GrafTech International by 211.9% during the 4th quarter. CWM LLC now owns 14,000 shares of the company’s stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 9,511 shares during the period. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in shares of GrafTech International by 39.2% during the 3rd quarter. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. now owns 14,726 shares of the company’s stock worth $56,000 after acquiring an additional 4,147 shares in the last quarter. Jaffetilchin Investment Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of GrafTech International in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $63,000. Finally, Jump Financial LLC purchased a new position in GrafTech International in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $72,000. 92.83% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About GrafTech International

GrafTech International Ltd. research, develops, manufactures, and sells graphite and carbon-based solutions worldwide. The company offers graphite electrodes to produce electric arc furnace steel and other ferrous and non-ferrous metals; and petroleum needle coke, a crystalline form of carbon used in the production of graphite electrodes and synthetic graphite.