National Presto Industries (NYSE:NPK) Sees Strong Trading Volume – Still a Buy?

National Presto Industries, Inc. (NYSE:NPK) shares saw unusually-high trading volume on Friday . Approximately 133,355 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 53% from the previous session’s volume of 87,355 shares.The stock last traded at $137.8550 and had previously closed at $136.42.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have commented on the stock. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of National Presto Industries in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Wall Street Zen upgraded National Presto Industries from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Sunday, March 22nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, National Presto Industries currently has an average rating of “Buy”.

National Presto Industries Stock Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of $989.67 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.84 and a beta of 0.49. The business’s 50-day moving average is $130.43 and its two-hundred day moving average is $115.40.

National Presto Industries (NYSE:NPK) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, March 13th. The conglomerate reported $2.10 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. National Presto Industries had a net margin of 6.57% and a return on equity of 8.72%. The firm had revenue of $163.97 million during the quarter.

National Presto Industries Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared an annual dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 20th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 9th were given a dividend of $1.00 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 71.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 9th. National Presto Industries’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 21.60%.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Randy F. Lieble sold 2,417 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $143.97, for a total value of $347,975.49. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 5,222 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $751,811.34. The trade was a 31.64% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 28.00% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Kestra Advisory Services LLC acquired a new position in National Presto Industries in the fourth quarter valued at about $27,000. International Assets Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of National Presto Industries during the fourth quarter worth about $32,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of National Presto Industries during the fourth quarter worth about $37,000. Operose Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of National Presto Industries during the 2nd quarter valued at about $36,000. Finally, CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC bought a new position in shares of National Presto Industries during the 4th quarter valued at about $53,000. 58.57% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About National Presto Industries

National Presto Industries, Inc is an American diversified manufacturer headquartered in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The company operates primarily through three business segments—Housewares/Small Appliances, Defense Products, and Safety—which together supply a range of consumer and industrial markets. Founded in 1905, National Presto Industries has built a reputation for durable, user-friendly products marketed under the Presto and National Presto brands.

In its Housewares/Small Appliances segment, National Presto offers a variety of kitchen products designed to simplify home cooking and meal preparation.