Fruth Investment Management Has $1.03 Million Position in United States Steel Co. (NYSE:X)

Fruth Investment Management lessened its holdings in shares of United States Steel Co. (NYSE:X) by 3.2% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 30,275 shares of the basic materials company’s stock after selling 1,000 shares during the period. Fruth Investment Management’s holdings in United States Steel were worth $1,029,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of X. Castle Hook Partners LP acquired a new stake in shares of United States Steel in the 3rd quarter valued at about $91,712,000. Holocene Advisors LP bought a new position in shares of United States Steel during the third quarter worth about $51,620,000. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA raised its position in United States Steel by 26.5% in the 3rd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 4,598,831 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $162,477,000 after buying an additional 964,467 shares during the last quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC lifted its stake in United States Steel by 4,445.5% in the 3rd quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 571,326 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $20,185,000 after acquiring an additional 558,757 shares in the last quarter. Finally, E. Ohman J or Asset Management AB acquired a new position in United States Steel during the 4th quarter worth approximately $17,907,000. 81.92% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

United States Steel Trading Up 0.4 %

United States Steel stock opened at $37.95 on Thursday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $35.16 and a 200 day simple moving average of $37.01. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.47 and a beta of 1.86. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a current ratio of 1.55. United States Steel Co. has a 52 week low of $26.92 and a 52 week high of $48.13.

United States Steel (NYSE:X) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The basic materials company reported ($0.18) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.20 by ($0.38). United States Steel had a return on equity of 4.27% and a net margin of 2.46%. Analysts expect that United States Steel Co. will post 1.75 earnings per share for the current year.

United States Steel Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 12th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 10th will be issued a $0.05 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, February 10th. This represents a $0.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.53%. United States Steel’s dividend payout ratio is currently 13.42%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

X has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Bank of America began coverage on shares of United States Steel in a report on Monday, January 6th. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $35.00 price objective on the stock. Morgan Stanley reiterated an “equal weight” rating and issued a $39.00 price target on shares of United States Steel in a research note on Monday. BMO Capital Markets reduced their price objective on shares of United States Steel from $43.00 to $40.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, December 20th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on United States Steel from $44.00 to $40.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 17th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group dropped their target price on United States Steel from $45.00 to $40.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, January 6th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $39.82.

United States Steel Company Profile

United States Steel Corporation produces and sells flat-rolled and tubular steel products primarily in North America and Europe. The company operates through North American Flat-Rolled (Flat-Rolled), Mini Mill, U. S. Steel Europe (USSE), and Tubular Products (Tubular) segments. The Flat-Rolled segment offers slabs, strip mill plates, sheets, and tin mill products, as well as iron ore and coke.