Zions Bancorporation N.A. Sells 256 Shares of Balchem Co. (NASDAQ:BCPC)

Zions Bancorporation N.A. decreased its holdings in Balchem Co. (NASDAQ:BCPC) by 2.3% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 10,720 shares of the basic materials company’s stock after selling 256 shares during the quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A.’s holdings in Balchem were worth $1,747,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Westside Investment Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of Balchem in the third quarter valued at approximately $27,000. R Squared Ltd purchased a new stake in Balchem in the 4th quarter valued at $29,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB bought a new position in Balchem during the 3rd quarter valued at $35,000. Venturi Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Balchem during the 4th quarter worth $95,000. Finally, Smartleaf Asset Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Balchem by 230.8% in the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 645 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $106,000 after acquiring an additional 450 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.91% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Sidoti raised shares of Balchem to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 25th. HC Wainwright reissued a “buy” rating and set a $190.00 target price on shares of Balchem in a research report on Monday, February 24th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered Balchem from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 25th.

Balchem Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:BCPC opened at $163.33 on Wednesday. Balchem Co. has a fifty-two week low of $137.69 and a fifty-two week high of $186.03. The company’s 50-day moving average is $164.97 and its 200 day moving average is $169.31. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19, a quick ratio of 1.16 and a current ratio of 1.99. The company has a market capitalization of $5.31 billion, a P/E ratio of 41.56, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.41 and a beta of 0.63.

Balchem (NASDAQ:BCPC) last released its earnings results on Friday, February 21st. The basic materials company reported $1.03 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.11 by ($0.08). The company had revenue of $240.00 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $239.96 million. Balchem had a net margin of 13.47% and a return on equity of 11.37%. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Balchem Co. will post 4.64 earnings per share for the current year.

About Balchem

Balchem Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets specialty performance ingredients and products for the nutritional, food, pharmaceutical, animal health, medical device sterilization, plant nutrition, and industrial markets worldwide. It operates through three segments: Human Nutrition and Health, Animal Nutrition and Health, and Specialty Products.