Laurus Global Equity Management Inc. Trims Holdings in Balchem Corporation (NASDAQ:BCPC)

Laurus Global Equity Management Inc. reduced its holdings in Balchem Corporation (NASDAQ:BCPC - Free Report) by 16.6% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 15,920 shares of the basic materials company's stock after selling 3,170 shares during the period. Balchem makes up 1.8% of Laurus Global Equity Management Inc.'s holdings, making the stock its 15th biggest position. Laurus Global Equity Management Inc.'s holdings in Balchem were worth $2,643,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of BCPC. Covestor Ltd increased its position 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 acquiring an additional 76 shares during the last quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Balchem in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Versant Capital Management Inc grew its holdings in shares of Balchem by 534.2% in the first quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 241 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $40,000 after purchasing an additional 203 shares in the last quarter. Huntington National Bank grew its holdings in shares of Balchem by 30.9% in the fourth quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 661 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $108,000 after purchasing an additional 156 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Atala Financial Inc acquired a new position in shares of Balchem in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $123,000. 87.91% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Balchem Stock Down 1.0%

NASDAQ BCPC traded down $1.55 on Tuesday, hitting $157.50. 186,856 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 143,495. The company has a quick ratio of 1.40, a current ratio of 2.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. Balchem Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $145.70 and a fifty-two week high of $186.03. The company has a market cap of $5.14 billion, a PE ratio of 37.77, a PEG ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 0.89. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $163.82 and a 200-day moving average price of $162.87.

Balchem (NASDAQ:BCPC - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 24th. The basic materials company reported $1.22 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.25 by ($0.03). Balchem had a return on equity of 12.01% and a net margin of 14.16%. The firm had revenue of $250.52 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $245.70 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.03 EPS. The company's revenue was up 4.5% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Balchem Corporation will post 4.64 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Balchem from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, May 21st. HC Wainwright set a $180.00 price objective on shares of Balchem and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, April 28th.

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.