Two Sigma Advisers LP Raises Stake in Sensient Technologies Co. (NYSE:SXT)

Two Sigma Advisers LP increased its position in shares of Sensient Technologies Co. (NYSE:SXT - Free Report) by 27.4% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 40,200 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock after buying an additional 8,646 shares during the quarter. Two Sigma Advisers LP owned about 0.09% of Sensient Technologies worth $2,865,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in SXT. State of Wyoming increased its holdings in shares of Sensient Technologies by 52.9% in the 4th quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 1,913 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock valued at $136,000 after acquiring an additional 662 shares during the period. Thornburg Investment Management Inc. grew its position in Sensient Technologies by 12.2% during the 4th quarter. Thornburg Investment Management Inc. now owns 168,546 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $12,011,000 after purchasing an additional 18,364 shares during the last quarter. Sherbrooke Park Advisers LLC acquired a new position in Sensient Technologies in the fourth quarter valued at $236,000. Point72 Asia Singapore Pte. Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of Sensient Technologies in the fourth quarter valued at about $252,000. Finally, Point72 Hong Kong Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Sensient Technologies during the fourth quarter worth about $155,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.86% of the company's stock.

Sensient Technologies Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:SXT traded up $0.11 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $94.56. 264,336 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 222,407. The stock has a market cap of $4.01 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.16 and a beta of 0.58. Sensient Technologies Co. has a twelve month low of $66.15 and a twelve month high of $98.27. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $84.53 and a 200-day moving average price of $77.60. The company has a current ratio of 3.55, a quick ratio of 1.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58.

Sensient Technologies (NYSE:SXT - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, April 25th. The specialty chemicals company reported $0.86 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.82 by $0.04. Sensient Technologies had a net margin of 8.01% and a return on equity of 11.93%. The business had revenue of $392.33 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $387.70 million. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.73 earnings per share. The company's quarterly revenue was up 2.0% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts forecast that Sensient Technologies Co. will post 3.1 earnings per share for the current year.

Sensient Technologies Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 2nd. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 12th will be paid a dividend of $0.41 per share. This represents a $1.64 dividend on an annualized basis 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 presently 54.30%.

Insider Transactions at Sensient Technologies

In other Sensient Technologies news, Director Mario Ferruzzi sold 1,668 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated 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 approximately $758,445.70. This trade represents a 17.35% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 1.20% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

SXT has been the topic of several recent research reports. Robert W. Baird boosted their price target on Sensient Technologies from $85.00 to $93.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Monday, April 28th. Wall Street Zen lowered Sensient Technologies from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Saturday, March 22nd.

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.