Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC Raises Stake in Balchem Co. (NASDAQ:BCPC)

Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC raised its holdings in Balchem Co. (NASDAQ:BCPC - Free Report) by 258.2% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 37,767 shares of the basic materials company's stock after buying an additional 27,224 shares during the quarter. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC owned 0.12% of Balchem worth $6,156,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Covestor Ltd lifted its stake in Balchem by 93.8% in the fourth quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 157 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 76 shares during the period. R Squared Ltd acquired a new position in Balchem in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Federated Hermes Inc. acquired a new position in Balchem in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB acquired a new position in Balchem in the third quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Finally, Venturi Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Balchem during the fourth quarter worth approximately $95,000. 87.91% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Balchem Stock Down 0.6%

NASDAQ BCPC traded down $0.98 on Wednesday, reaching $163.96. The company had a trading volume of 62,176 shares, compared to its average volume of 167,972. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.35 billion, a P/E ratio of 41.72, a P/E/G ratio of 4.41 and a beta of 0.93. The company's fifty day moving average is $162.02 and its 200 day moving average is $166.42. Balchem Co. has a 52-week low of $145.70 and a 52-week high of $186.03. The company has a quick ratio of 1.16, a current ratio of 1.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19.

Balchem (NASDAQ:BCPC - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 24th. The basic materials company reported $1.22 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.25 by ($0.03). The business had revenue of $250.52 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $245.70 million. Balchem had a net margin of 13.47% and a return on equity of 11.37%. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 4.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.03 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Balchem Co. will post 4.64 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on BCPC. HC Wainwright set a $180.00 target price on Balchem and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, April 28th. Sidoti raised Balchem to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 25th. Finally, StockNews.com raised Balchem from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday.

Balchem Company Profile

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.