Virtus Investment Advisers Inc. Sells 35,569 Shares of U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:SLCA)

Virtus Investment Advisers Inc. decreased its holdings in shares of U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:SLCA) by 75.8% during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 11,348 shares of the mining company’s stock after selling 35,569 shares during the period. Virtus Investment Advisers Inc.’s holdings in U.S. Silica were worth $141,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. raised its stake in shares of U.S. Silica by 7.6% during the 4th quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 33,930 shares of the mining company’s stock worth $384,000 after buying an additional 2,402 shares during the period. Callahan Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in U.S. Silica in the 4th quarter valued at $124,000. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System purchased a new stake in U.S. Silica in the 4th quarter valued at $437,000. Everence Capital Management Inc. purchased a new stake in U.S. Silica in the 4th quarter valued at $215,000. Finally, KLCM Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in U.S. Silica in the 4th quarter valued at $444,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.77% of the company’s stock.

U.S. Silica Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE SLCA remained flat at $15.50 during mid-day trading on Wednesday. The stock had a trading volume of 1,544,291 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,391,971. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $15.45 and its 200-day moving average is $13.50. U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $10.09 and a fifty-two week high of $16.03. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.54 and a beta of 1.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.92, a current ratio of 3.62 and a quick ratio of 2.74.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on SLCA shares. Citigroup increased their price target on U.S. Silica from $13.50 to $15.50 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, May 1st. StockNews.com started coverage on U.S. Silica in a report on Thursday, July 25th. They set a “hold” rating for the company.

U.S. Silica Company Profile

U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc produces and sells commercial silica in the United States. It operates through two segments: Oil & Gas Proppants and Industrial & Specialty Products. The company offers whole grain commercial silica products to be used as frac for oil and natural gas recovery, as well as sells its whole grain silica products for the manufacturing of glass products.