Equities Analysts Offer Predictions for MERC FY2024 Earnings

Mercer International Inc. (NASDAQ:MERC) (TSE:MRI.U) – Equities research analysts at Raymond James decreased their FY2024 earnings per share estimates for Mercer International in a research report issued to clients and investors on Monday, October 21st. Raymond James analyst D. Swetlishoff now expects that the basic materials company will post earnings of ($1.78) per share for the year, down from their prior estimate of ($1.15). The consensus estimate for Mercer International’s current full-year earnings is ($1.15) per share. Raymond James also issued estimates for Mercer International’s FY2025 earnings at ($0.07) EPS.

Mercer International (NASDAQ:MERC) (TSE:MRI.U) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 8th. The basic materials company reported ($0.50) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.42) by ($0.08). Mercer International had a negative return on equity of 17.93% and a negative net margin of 9.90%. The business had revenue of $499.40 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $482.35 million. During the same period last year, the firm earned ($1.48) EPS. The business’s quarterly revenue was down 5.8% on a year-over-year basis.

Several other research firms have also commented on MERC. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their price target on shares of Mercer International from $10.00 to $8.00 and set a “sector perform” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, August 12th. CIBC cut their price target on shares of Mercer International from $10.00 to $8.50 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, August 13th. Finally, StockNews.com raised Mercer International from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, October 18th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, Mercer International presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $9.38.

Mercer International Trading Down 1.0 %

Shares of NASDAQ MERC opened at $6.11 on Thursday. Mercer International has a 1-year low of $5.33 and a 1-year high of $11.20. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $6.44 and a 200 day moving average price of $8.04. The stock has a market capitalization of $408.45 million, a P/E ratio of -1.78 and a beta of 1.34. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.22, a current ratio of 3.46 and a quick ratio of 2.17.

Mercer International Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 3rd. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, September 25th were issued a $0.075 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, September 25th. This represents a $0.30 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.91%. Mercer International’s dividend payout ratio is currently -8.75%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, CEO Estrada Juan Carlos Bueno bought 7,800 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 13th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $6.60 per share, with a total value of $51,480.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 67,615 shares in the company, valued at approximately $446,259. The trade was a 0.00 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, CEO Estrada Juan Carlos Bueno bought 7,800 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 13th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $6.60 per share, for a total transaction of $51,480.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 67,615 shares in the company, valued at approximately $446,259. This represents a 0.00 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, VP Wolfgang Beck purchased 18,500 shares of Mercer International stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 3rd. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $6.02 per share, with a total value of $111,370.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 26,263 shares in the company, valued at $158,103.26. The trade was a 200.00 % increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders purchased 41,300 shares of company stock valued at $252,650. Insiders own 4.20% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Mercer International

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. SG Americas Securities LLC boosted its position in Mercer International by 26.5% in the 1st quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 51,201 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $509,000 after purchasing an additional 10,713 shares in the last quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. purchased a new position in shares of Mercer International during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $193,000. Finally, Everence Capital Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Mercer International in the 1st quarter valued at $261,000. 85.79% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Mercer International Company Profile

Mercer International Inc, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells northern bleached softwood kraft (NBSK) and northern bleached hardwood kraft (NBHK) pulp worldwide. The company operates through two segments, Pulp and Solid Wood. It manufactures, sells, and distributes pulp, electricity, and chemicals through pulp mills.