ProShare Advisors LLC Increases Holdings in Sensient Technologies Co. (NYSE:SXT)

ProShare Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Sensient Technologies Co. (NYSE:SXT - Free Report) by 42.1% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 13,124 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock after acquiring an additional 3,885 shares during the quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC's holdings in Sensient Technologies were worth $935,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of SXT. Freemont Capital Pte Ltd purchased a new stake in Sensient Technologies during the 4th quarter valued at $449,288,000. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Sensient Technologies in the fourth quarter worth $45,757,000. Marshall Wace LLP purchased a new stake in Sensient Technologies in the fourth quarter worth $24,490,000. Wealthfront Advisers LLC purchased a new stake in Sensient Technologies in the fourth quarter worth $7,270,000. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its stake in Sensient Technologies by 100.9% in the fourth quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 200,726 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $14,304,000 after purchasing an additional 100,788 shares during the period. 90.86% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Sensient Technologies Stock Down 0.9%

Shares of SXT traded down $0.86 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $94.50. 175,502 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 325,870. Sensient Technologies Co. has a 52 week low of $66.14 and a 52 week high of $98.27. The company has a current ratio of 3.55, a quick ratio of 1.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58. The company's 50 day moving average is $83.25 and its two-hundred day moving average is $77.29. The company has a market capitalization of $4.01 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.15 and a beta of 0.58.

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 (EPS) for the quarter, topping 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 business had revenue of $392.33 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $387.70 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.73 EPS. The business's revenue was up 2.0% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Sensient Technologies Co. will post 3.1 earnings per share for the current year.

Sensient Technologies Announces Dividend

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

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have weighed in on SXT. Robert W. Baird increased their target price on Sensient Technologies from $85.00 to $93.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Monday, April 28th. Wall Street Zen lowered Sensient Technologies from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Saturday, March 22nd.

Insider Activity at Sensient Technologies

In related 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 transaction of $159,210.60. Following the sale, the director now owns 7,946 shares of the company's stock, valued at $758,445.70. This trade 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 through this link. 1.20% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

About Sensient Technologies

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.