Sensient Technologies (NYSE:SXT) Downgraded to “Hold” Rating by StockNews.com

StockNews.com lowered shares of Sensient Technologies (NYSE:SXT) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report released on Saturday.

Sensient Technologies Price Performance

Shares of SXT opened at $73.39 on Friday. 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 company’s fifty day simple moving average is $73.21 and its 200 day simple moving average is $75.15. Sensient Technologies has a 1-year low of $66.15 and a 1-year high of $82.99. The company has a market cap of $3.11 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.96 and a beta of 0.71.

Sensient Technologies (NYSE:SXT) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 14th. The specialty chemicals company reported $0.65 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.64 by $0.01. Sensient Technologies had a net margin of 8.01% and a return on equity of 11.93%. The company had revenue of $376.40 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $375.10 million. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.51 EPS. Sensient Technologies’s revenue for the quarter was up 7.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts forecast that Sensient Technologies will post 3.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Sensient Technologies Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 3rd. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 4th were paid a dividend of $0.41 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 4th. This represents a $1.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.23%. Sensient Technologies’s dividend payout ratio is currently 55.78%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Kohmann Bosshard Financial Services LLC bought a new position in Sensient Technologies during the fourth quarter worth $25,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp lifted its stake in shares of 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 worth $40,000 after buying an additional 563 shares during the last quarter. Quarry LP bought a new stake in shares of Sensient Technologies during the 4th quarter worth about $50,000. R Squared Ltd acquired a new position in Sensient Technologies in the 4th quarter valued at about $65,000. Finally, Covestor Ltd raised its holdings in Sensient Technologies by 49.4% in the 4th quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 920 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock valued at $66,000 after acquiring an additional 304 shares during the period. 90.86% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Sensient Technologies Company Profile

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.