Gerdau SA (NYSE:GGB) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research note issued on Thursday, AnalystRatings.NET reports.

According to Zacks, “Gerdau's diversified business portfolio as well as manufacturing techniques will help it grow over the long term. However, this does not shield Gerdau from risks associated with increasing raw material costs, foreign currency fluctuations and cyclical nature of the industry. Moreover, the company's huge debt level remains a matter of concern. In the quarters ahead, uncertain global economic conditions might adversely impact Gerdau's businesses. For 2015, the World Steel Association ("WSA") predicts a 1.7% decline in global steel consumption.”

Gerdau SA (NYSE:GGB) traded up 0.7500% on Thursday, reaching $0.8463. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 3,756,100 shares. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $1.06 and a 200 day moving average price of $1.48. The firm’s market capitalization is $1.43 billion. Gerdau SA has a 52-week low of $0.79 and a 52-week high of $4.00.

A hedge fund recently raised its stake in Gerdau SA stock. Russell Frank Co boosted its stake in Gerdau SA (NYSE:GGB) by 737.0% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 4,383,030 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 3,859,386 shares during the period. Russell Frank Co owned 0.26% of Gerdau SA worth $5,216,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Separately, TheStreet downgraded Gerdau SA from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 3rd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. The stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $5.65.

Gerdau S.A. (NYSE:GGB) is a producer of long rolled steel. The Company operates in five segments: Brazil (Brazil Business Operation), which includes the steel operations in Brazil (except special steel) and the metallurgical and coking coal operation in Colombia; North America (North America Business Operation), which includes all North American operations, except Mexico and special steel; Latin America (Latin America Business Operation), which includes all Latin American operations, except the operations in Brazil and the metallurgical and coking coal operations in Colombia; Special Steel (Special Steel Business Operation), which includes the special steel operations in Brazil, Spain, the United States and India, and Iron Ore (Iron Ore Business Operation), which includes the iron ore operations in Brazil. The Company’s mills are located in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Spain, the United States, Guatemala, India, Mexico, Peru, the Dominican Republic, Uruguay and Venezuela.

12 Month Chart for NYSE:GGB

Get a free copy of the Zacks research report on Gerdau SA (GGB)

For more information about research offerings from Zacks Investment Research, visit Zacks.com

Frustrated with your broker? Are you tired of paying high fees? Do you feel like you are getting ripped off by your stock broker? It's time for a change. Find out which brokerage is best for your personal trading style at the InvestorPlace Broker Center. Compare brokers at a glance in the InvestorPlace Broker Center (Click Here).

Receive News & Ratings for Gerdau SA Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Gerdau SA and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.