Principal Financial Group Inc. Buys 4,311 Shares of Balchem Corporation (NASDAQ:BCPC)

Principal Financial Group Inc. raised its position in Balchem Corporation (NASDAQ:BCPC - Free Report) by 2.6% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 169,226 shares of the basic materials company's stock after purchasing an additional 4,311 shares during the period. Principal Financial Group Inc. owned 0.52% of Balchem worth $28,092,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Quadrant Capital Group LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Balchem by 8.2% during the 4th quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 989 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $161,000 after buying an additional 75 shares in the last quarter. Covestor Ltd raised its holdings in shares of Balchem by 93.8% during the fourth quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 157 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 76 shares during the period. Arizona State Retirement System grew its position in Balchem by 0.8% in the 4th quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 9,413 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $1,534,000 after purchasing an additional 77 shares during the period. Vident Advisory LLC grew its holdings in shares of Balchem by 6.0% during the fourth quarter. Vident Advisory LLC now owns 1,421 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $232,000 after buying an additional 80 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Heritage Family Offices LLP increased its holdings in Balchem by 5.9% during the 1st quarter. Heritage Family Offices LLP now owns 1,504 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $250,000 after purchasing an additional 84 shares in the last quarter. 87.91% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Balchem Price Performance

Shares of BCPC traded down $3.49 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $158.44. 102,904 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 143,430. The stock has a market cap of $5.17 billion, a PE ratio of 38.00, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 0.89. The company has a current ratio of 2.44, a quick ratio of 1.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. Balchem Corporation has a 12 month low of $145.70 and a 12 month high of $186.03. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $163.82 and its 200-day simple moving average is $162.90.

Balchem (NASDAQ:BCPC - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 24th. The basic materials company reported $1.22 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.25 by ($0.03). The company had revenue of $250.52 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $245.70 million. Balchem had a net margin of 14.16% and a return on equity of 12.01%. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 4.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.03 EPS. Equities analysts expect that Balchem Corporation will post 4.64 EPS for the current year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on BCPC shares. HC Wainwright set a $180.00 price target on Balchem and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, April 28th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Balchem from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 21st.

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.