Sensient Technologies (NYSE:SXT) Sets New 52-Week High – What’s Next?

Sensient Technologies Co. (NYSE:SXT)’s share price hit a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $98.27 and last traded at $94.81, with a volume of 332848 shares. The stock had previously closed at $95.64.

Analyst Ratings Changes

SXT has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Sensient Technologies from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, March 22nd. Robert W. Baird boosted their target price on shares of Sensient Technologies from $85.00 to $93.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday, April 28th.

Sensient Technologies Price Performance

The company has a market cap of $3.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.27 and a beta of 0.58. The company has a current ratio of 3.55, a quick ratio of 1.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $79.49 and a 200 day moving average price of $76.27.

Sensient Technologies (NYSE:SXT) last announced its earnings results on Friday, April 25th. The specialty chemicals company reported $0.86 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.82 by $0.04. Sensient Technologies had a return on equity of 11.93% and a net margin of 8.01%. The company had revenue of $392.33 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $387.70 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.73 earnings per share. Sensient Technologies’s revenue for the quarter was up 2.0% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts expect that Sensient Technologies Co. will post 3.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Sensient Technologies Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 2nd. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 12th will be paid a dividend of $0.41 per share. This represents a $1.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.78%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, May 12th. Sensient Technologies’s dividend payout ratio is presently 54.30%.

Insider Transactions at Sensient Technologies

In related news, Director Mario Ferruzzi sold 1,668 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $95.45, for a total value of $159,210.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 7,946 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $758,445.70. This trade represents a 17.35% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 1.20% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Sensient Technologies

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of SXT. Kohmann Bosshard Financial Services LLC purchased a new position in shares of Sensient Technologies during the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its stake in Sensient Technologies by 132.6% during the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 435 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 248 shares in the last quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp grew its stake in Sensient Technologies by 18,766.7% during the 4th quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 566 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock valued at $40,000 after acquiring an additional 563 shares in the last quarter. Quarry LP acquired a new position in shares of Sensient Technologies in the 4th quarter valued at about $50,000. Finally, R Squared Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Sensient Technologies in the fourth quarter worth approximately $65,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.86% of the company’s stock.

About Sensient Technologies

Sensient Technologies Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures, and markets colors, flavors, and other specialty ingredients in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, South America, and Africa. The company offers flavor-delivery systems, and compounded and blended products; ingredient products, such as essential oils, natural and synthetic flavors, and natural extracts; and chili powder, paprika, and chili pepper, as well as dehydrated vegetables comprising parsley, celery, and spinach to the food, beverage, and personal care industries.