BNP Paribas Financial Markets Sells 13,849 Shares of Sensient Technologies Co. (NYSE:SXT)

BNP Paribas Financial Markets lowered its stake in Sensient Technologies Co. (NYSE:SXT - Free Report) by 64.3% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 7,685 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock after selling 13,849 shares during the period. BNP Paribas Financial Markets' holdings in Sensient Technologies were worth $548,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Kohmann Bosshard Financial Services LLC bought a new stake in shares of Sensient Technologies during the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp lifted its holdings in 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 buying an additional 563 shares during the period. Quarry LP purchased a new stake in Sensient Technologies in the fourth quarter worth about $50,000. R Squared Ltd bought a new stake in Sensient Technologies during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $65,000. Finally, Covestor Ltd grew its holdings in shares of 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 acquiring an additional 304 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 90.86% of the company's stock.

Sensient Technologies Stock Performance

SXT remained flat at $94.37 during midday trading on Thursday. 326,699 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 222,966. Sensient Technologies Co. has a twelve month low of $66.15 and a twelve month high of $98.27. The company's 50-day simple moving average is $84.11 and its 200-day simple moving average is $77.51. The company has a market capitalization of $4.01 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.10 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 posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, April 25th. The specialty chemicals company reported $0.86 earnings per share for the quarter, beating 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 analyst estimates of $387.70 million. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.73 EPS. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 2.0% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Sensient Technologies Co. will post 3.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Sensient Technologies Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 2nd. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 12th will be issued a dividend of $0.41 per share. This represents a $1.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.74%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, May 12th. Sensient Technologies's payout ratio is currently 54.30%.

Insider Activity at Sensient Technologies

In other Sensient Technologies news, Director Mario Ferruzzi sold 1,668 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $95.45, for a total transaction of $159,210.60. Following the transaction, the director now owns 7,946 shares in the company, valued at approximately $758,445.70. This represents a 17.35% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 1.20% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have recently commented on SXT shares. Wall Street Zen cut Sensient Technologies from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Saturday, March 22nd. Robert W. Baird boosted their target price on shares of Sensient Technologies from $85.00 to $93.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Monday, April 28th.

Sensient Technologies 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.