Off Target? Gun Stocks Down Over Weak Firearm Background Check Data

American Outdoor Brands Corp AOBC and Sturm Ruger & Company Inc RGR shares plunged Monday on the release of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s monthly firearm background check report.

According to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), the FBI conducted nearly 2,045,564 checks in April, representing 4.7-percent year-over-year and 15.9-percent sequential decreases.

April is the fourth consecutive month registering annual decreases, signaling the end of a succession of record-setting checks in 2016. Last year’s total, ahead of the uncertainty surrounding the presidential election, amounted to a 2.9 million unit and 55.7-percent year-over-year increase.

The Usual Stimulus

The monthly report is a typical catalyst for volatile gun stocks, which have been known to stall on weak figures and pop on strength. The positive correlation positions trigger-happy traders to cash in at the start of each month.

However, month-to-month performance is not entirely predictable. Although investors can generally count on a swell in the winter months, trends vary within seasons.

The FBI generally releases NICS updates at the start of each month.

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With One Month Left To Report, U.S. Has Already Set Annual Firearm Background Checks Record