Centiva Capital LP Buys 4,175 Shares of Sensient Technologies Co. (NYSE:SXT)

Centiva Capital LP increased its holdings in shares of Sensient Technologies Co. (NYSE:SXT - Free Report) by 67.4% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 10,368 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock after buying an additional 4,175 shares during the quarter. Centiva Capital LP's holdings in Sensient Technologies were worth $739,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of SXT. Kohmann Bosshard Financial Services LLC acquired a new stake in Sensient Technologies during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp lifted its stake in shares of Sensient Technologies by 18,766.7% in the fourth quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 566 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $40,000 after acquiring an additional 563 shares during the period. Quarry LP bought a new stake in Sensient Technologies in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $50,000. R Squared Ltd acquired a new stake in Sensient Technologies during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $65,000. Finally, Covestor Ltd raised its holdings in Sensient Technologies by 49.4% during the 4th quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 920 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $66,000 after purchasing an additional 304 shares during the last quarter. 90.86% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity at Sensient Technologies

In other news, Director Mario Ferruzzi sold 1,668 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $95.45, for a total value of $159,210.60. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 7,946 shares of the company's stock, valued at $758,445.70. The trade was a 17.35% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 1.20% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Sensient Technologies Price Performance

SXT stock traded down $0.83 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $94.81. 332,848 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 217,610. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $78.21 and a 200-day moving average price of $75.93. Sensient Technologies Co. has a 52-week low of $66.15 and a 52-week high of $103.98. The company has a market capitalization of $4.03 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.25 and a beta of 0.58. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 3.55 and a quick ratio of 1.34.

Sensient Technologies (NYSE:SXT - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, April 25th. The specialty chemicals company reported $0.86 earnings per share 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 during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $387.70 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.73 EPS. Sensient Technologies's quarterly revenue was up 2.0% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts anticipate that Sensient Technologies Co. will post 3.1 earnings per share for the current year.

Sensient Technologies Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 2nd. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 12th will be given a $0.41 dividend. This represents a $1.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.73%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, May 12th. Sensient Technologies's dividend payout ratio is currently 54.30%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have issued reports on SXT shares. StockNews.com lowered Sensient Technologies from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Saturday, March 22nd. Robert W. Baird raised their price target on shares of Sensient Technologies from $85.00 to $93.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Monday, April 28th.

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.