Lazard Asset Management LLC Boosts 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% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 1,965,641 shares of the basic materials company's stock after acquiring an additional 18,255 shares during the period. Lazard Asset Management LLC owned 0.69% of Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile worth $71,470,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in SQM. Kestra Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile in the 4th quarter worth $39,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp grew its stake in shares of Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile by 803.4% in the 4th quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 1,075 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $39,000 after buying an additional 956 shares in the last quarter. R Squared Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile in the 4th quarter worth $58,000. National Bank of Canada FI purchased a new position in shares of Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile in the 4th quarter worth $68,000. Finally, Avior Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile by 104.0% in 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. 12.41% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile Trading Down 0.7%

Shares of SQM stock traded down $0.25 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $34.83. 764,696 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,070,267. 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's 50-day moving average price is $37.28 and its 200-day moving average price is $38.26. The firm has a market capitalization of $9.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -31.38, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.00 and a beta of 1.11. The company has a current ratio of 2.94, a quick ratio of 2.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.74.

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

Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile Company Profile

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.