Sensient Technologies Co. (NYSE:SXT) Shares Purchased by ProShare Advisors LLC

ProShare Advisors LLC raised its position in Sensient Technologies Co. (NYSE:SXT - Free Report) by 42.1% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 13,124 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock after acquiring an additional 3,885 shares during the period. ProShare Advisors LLC's holdings in Sensient Technologies were worth $935,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in SXT. Kohmann Bosshard Financial Services LLC purchased a new position in Sensient Technologies during the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp increased its holdings in Sensient Technologies by 18,766.7% during the 4th quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 566 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock valued at $40,000 after acquiring an additional 563 shares in the last quarter. Quarry LP purchased a new position in Sensient Technologies during the 4th quarter valued at about $50,000. R Squared Ltd purchased a new position in Sensient Technologies during the 4th quarter valued at about $65,000. Finally, Covestor Ltd increased its holdings in Sensient Technologies by 49.4% during the 4th quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 920 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock valued at $66,000 after acquiring an additional 304 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.86% of the company's stock.

Sensient Technologies Trading Up 1.4%

Shares of Sensient Technologies stock traded up $1.29 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $95.23. 173,680 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 222,010. Sensient Technologies Co. has a twelve month low of $66.15 and a twelve month high of $99.00. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.39 and a beta of 0.58. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $82.83 and a 200 day simple moving average of $77.17. 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 earnings per share (EPS) 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 company had revenue of $392.33 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $387.70 million. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.73 EPS. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 2.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts forecast that Sensient Technologies Co. will post 3.1 EPS for the current year.

Sensient Technologies Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 2nd. Investors of record on Monday, May 12th will be given 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 1.72%. Sensient Technologies's dividend payout ratio is presently 54.30%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Mario Ferruzzi sold 1,668 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 9th. The shares were 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 ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 1.20% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. Robert W. Baird raised their target price on shares of Sensient Technologies from $85.00 to $93.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Monday, April 28th. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Sensient Technologies from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Saturday, March 22nd.

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.