Sensient Technologies Corporation (NYSE:SXT) Holdings Raised by Teacher Retirement System of Texas

Teacher Retirement System of Texas increased its holdings in shares of Sensient Technologies Corporation (NYSE:SXT - Free Report) by 29.1% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 43,534 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock after purchasing an additional 9,817 shares during the quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas owned 0.10% of Sensient Technologies worth $3,240,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. grew its position in Sensient Technologies by 29.9% in the first quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. now owns 31,759 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock valued at $2,364,000 after acquiring an additional 7,310 shares in the last quarter. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Sensient Technologies in the first quarter valued at approximately $224,000. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its position in Sensient Technologies by 132.6% in the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 435 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 248 shares in the last quarter. Portside Wealth Group LLC acquired a new stake in Sensient Technologies in the first quarter valued at approximately $280,000. Finally, Congress Asset Management Co. acquired a new stake in Sensient Technologies in the first quarter valued at approximately $49,984,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.86% of the company's stock.

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 on 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 directly owned 7,946 shares in the company, 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 filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders own 1.20% of the company's stock.

Sensient Technologies Stock Up 0.6%

Shares of SXT stock traded up $0.61 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $109.36. 491,718 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 249,790. Sensient Technologies Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $66.15 and a fifty-two week high of $112.04. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a quick ratio of 1.74 and a current ratio of 4.34. The company has a market capitalization of $4.64 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.21 and a beta of 0.56. The business's 50 day simple moving average is $97.21 and its 200 day simple moving average is $82.08.

Sensient Technologies (NYSE:SXT - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data 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. The firm had revenue of $392.33 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $387.70 million. Sensient Technologies had a return on equity of 12.14% and a net margin of 8.19%. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 2.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.73 earnings per share. Research analysts predict that Sensient Technologies Corporation will post 3.1 earnings per share for the current year.

Sensient Technologies Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 2nd. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 12th were paid a $0.41 dividend. This represents a $1.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.50%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, May 12th. Sensient Technologies's payout ratio is 54.30%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have issued reports on the stock. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Sensient Technologies from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Saturday, March 22nd. Robert W. Baird increased their price objective on shares of Sensient Technologies from $93.00 to $125.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Thursday, July 3rd. Finally, CJS Securities initiated coverage on shares of Sensient Technologies in a research report on Tuesday, June 10th. They set a "market perform" rating and a $95.00 price target for the company.

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.