Lazard Asset Management LLC Boosts Stock Holdings in Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. (NYSE:SQM)

Lazard Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. (NYSE:SQM - Free Report) by 0.9% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,965,641 shares of the basic materials company's stock after purchasing an additional 18,255 shares during the period. Lazard Asset Management LLC owned approximately 0.69% of Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile worth $71,470,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. BCS Wealth Management acquired a new position in Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile during the 4th quarter worth $222,000. Richard P Slaughter Associates Inc boosted its stake in Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile by 3.4% during the 4th quarter. Richard P Slaughter Associates Inc now owns 32,950 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $1,198,000 after purchasing an additional 1,093 shares during the period. Ballentine Partners LLC raised its stake in Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile by 33.6% during the 4th quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC now owns 6,903 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $251,000 after acquiring an additional 1,735 shares in the last quarter. D.B. Root & Company LLC bought a new stake in Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile during the 4th quarter valued at $252,000. Finally, Avior Wealth Management LLC raised its position in shares of Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile by 104.0% during the 4th quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,128 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $77,000 after buying an additional 1,085 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 12.41% of the company's stock.

Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile Stock Up 3.3%

NYSE SQM opened at $36.01 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.74, a current ratio of 2.94 and a quick ratio of 2.05. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $37.83 and its 200 day simple moving average is $38.39. Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. has a 12 month low of $31.27 and a 12 month high of $50.73. The company has a market capitalization of $10.29 billion, a P/E ratio of -32.45, a PEG ratio of 5.00 and a beta of 1.11.

Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile (NYSE:SQM - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, March 4th. The basic materials company reported $0.42 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.52 by ($0.10). The business had revenue of $1.07 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.01 billion. Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile had a positive return on equity of 16.12% and a negative net margin of 6.74%. Equities research analysts expect that Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. will post -1.31 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

About Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile

Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile SA operates as a mining company worldwide. The company offers specialty plant nutrients, including sodium potassium nitrate, specialty blends, and other specialty fertilizers under Ultrasol, Qrop, Speedfol, Allganic, Ultrasoline, ProP, and Prohydric brands. It also provides iodine and its derivatives for use in medical, agricultural, industrial, and human and animal nutrition products comprising x-ray contrast media, biocides, antiseptics and disinfectants, pharmaceutical intermediates, polarizing films for LCD and LED screens, chemicals, organic compounds, and pigments, as well as added to edible salt to prevent iodine deficiency disorders.

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