101,482 Shares in Sociedad Quimica y Minera S.A. $SQM Bought by Candriam S.C.A.

Key Points

• Candriam S.C.A. invested approximately $4.03 million in Sociedad Quimica y Minera S.A. by purchasing 101,482 shares in the first quarter.
• Despite a 19.4% year-over-year revenue decline, the company reported earnings of $0.31 per share, missing estimates by $0.21.
• Sociedad Quimica y Minera S.A. currently holds a market capitalization of $13.24 billion with an average stock rating of Moderate Buy and a target price of $45.40.

Candriam S.C.A. purchased a new stake in shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera S.A. (NYSE:SQM - Free Report) in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 101,482 shares of the basic materials company's stock, valued at approximately $4,032,000.

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Soros Fund Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera during the 4th quarter worth about $5,619,000. Earnest Partners LLC boosted its stake in Sociedad Quimica y Minera by 1.8% during the fourth quarter. Earnest Partners LLC now owns 1,071,339 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $38,954,000 after buying an additional 18,748 shares during the period. MGO One Seven LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera during the fourth quarter valued at about $642,000. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co raised its stake in shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera by 121.9% in the 4th quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co now owns 61,519 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $2,236,000 after acquiring an additional 33,797 shares during the period. Finally, White Knight Strategic Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera by 86.5% in the 4th quarter. White Knight Strategic Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 34,244 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $1,245,000 after acquiring an additional 15,879 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 12.41% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have commented on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on Sociedad Quimica y Minera from $39.00 to $41.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Monday, July 28th. Scotiabank reduced their price target on shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera from $50.00 to $45.00 and set a "sector outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, May 30th. Zacks Research raised shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 13th. Bank of America raised their price target on shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera from $36.50 to $43.50 and gave the company an "underperform" rating in a research report on Tuesday. Finally, BMO Capital Markets upped their price objective on Sociedad Quimica y Minera from $45.00 to $55.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Thursday, August 21st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $43.10.

Sociedad Quimica y Minera Stock Down 1.9%

NYSE:SQM traded down $0.90 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $46.04. The company's stock had a trading volume of 418,528 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,273,916. The stock has a market capitalization of $13.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.57 and a beta of 1.03. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $39.42 and a 200-day moving average of $37.63. The company has a current ratio of 2.88, a quick ratio of 1.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. Sociedad Quimica y Minera S.A. has a 52-week low of $29.36 and a 52-week high of $47.51.

Sociedad Quimica y Minera (NYSE:SQM - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 20th. The basic materials company reported $0.31 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.52 by ($0.21). Sociedad Quimica y Minera had a return on equity of 9.17% and a net margin of 11.29%.The business had revenue of $1.04 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $1.08 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.75 earnings per share. The firm's quarterly revenue was down 19.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts forecast that Sociedad Quimica y Minera S.A. will post -1.31 earnings per share for the current year.

Sociedad Quimica y Minera Company Profile

Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile SA operates as a mining company worldwide. The company offers specialty plant nutrients, including sodium potassium nitrate, specialty blends, and other specialty fertilizers under Ultrasol, Qrop, Speedfol, Allganic, Ultrasoline, ProP, and Prohydric brands. It also provides iodine and its derivatives for use in medical, agricultural, industrial, and human and animal nutrition products comprising x-ray contrast media, biocides, antiseptics and disinfectants, pharmaceutical intermediates, polarizing films for LCD and LED screens, chemicals, organic compounds, and pigments, as well as added to edible salt to prevent iodine deficiency disorders.