Sensient Technologies Co. (NYSE:SXT) Shares Acquired by D. E. Shaw & Co. Inc.

D. E. Shaw & Co. Inc. raised its position in Sensient Technologies Co. (NYSE:SXT - Free Report) by 102.8% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 31,866 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock after purchasing an additional 16,151 shares during the quarter. D. E. Shaw & Co. Inc. owned 0.08% of Sensient Technologies worth $2,271,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Sensient Technologies during the fourth quarter worth approximately $45,757,000. Marshall Wace LLP acquired a new stake in Sensient Technologies in the fourth quarter valued at $24,490,000. Wealthfront Advisers LLC acquired a new stake in Sensient Technologies in the fourth quarter valued at $7,270,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its holdings in Sensient Technologies by 100.9% during the 4th quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 200,726 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $14,304,000 after acquiring an additional 100,788 shares during the period. Finally, Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in Sensient Technologies during the 4th quarter worth about $6,483,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.86% of the company's stock.

Insider Transactions at Sensient Technologies

In related news, Director Mario Ferruzzi sold 1,668 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 $758,445.70. This represents a 17.35% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Insiders own 1.20% of the company's stock.

Sensient Technologies Price Performance

Shares of NYSE SXT traded up $0.10 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $93.91. 193,866 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 221,745. Sensient Technologies Co. has a 52 week low of $66.15 and a 52 week high of $98.27. The company has a quick ratio of 1.34, a current ratio of 3.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.99 billion, a PE ratio of 31.94 and a beta of 0.58. The company's 50 day moving average price is $82.43 and its 200 day moving average price is $77.12.

Sensient Technologies (NYSE:SXT - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, April 25th. The specialty chemicals company reported $0.86 earnings per share for the quarter, topping 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 during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $387.70 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.73 earnings per share. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 2.0% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts forecast that Sensient Technologies Co. will post 3.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Sensient Technologies Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 2nd. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 12th will be paid a $0.41 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, May 12th. This represents a $1.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.75%. Sensient Technologies's dividend payout ratio is presently 54.30%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

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