Sensient Technologies (NYSE:SXT) Stock Price Expected to Rise, Robert W. Baird Analyst Says

Sensient Technologies (NYSE:SXT - Free Report) had its target price lifted by Robert W. Baird from $93.00 to $125.00 in a report released on Thursday morning,Benzinga reports. They currently have an outperform rating on the specialty chemicals company's stock.

Several other brokerages also recently weighed in on SXT. CJS Securities began coverage on Sensient Technologies in a report on Tuesday, June 10th. They issued a "market perform" rating and a $95.00 price target for the company. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Sensient Technologies from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Saturday, March 22nd.

Sensient Technologies Stock Up 2.6%

NYSE:SXT traded up $2.75 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $107.90. 450,996 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 244,900. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.58 billion, a PE ratio of 35.73 and a beta of 0.56. Sensient Technologies has a 12-month low of $66.15 and a 12-month high of $108.22. 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 business has a 50-day moving average of $95.64 and a two-hundred day moving average of $80.90.

Sensient Technologies (NYSE:SXT - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, April 25th. The specialty chemicals company reported $0.86 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.82 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $392.33 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $387.70 million. Sensient Technologies had a return on equity of 12.14% and a net margin of 8.19%. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 2.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.73 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that Sensient Technologies will post 3.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Sensient Technologies Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 2nd. Investors of record on Monday, May 12th were paid a $0.41 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, May 12th. This represents a $1.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.52%. Sensient Technologies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 54.30%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director Mario Ferruzzi sold 1,668 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $95.45, for a total value of $159,210.60. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 7,946 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $758,445.70. This 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 accessible through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 1.20% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Sensient Technologies

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its position in Sensient Technologies by 132.6% during the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 435 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 248 shares during the last quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp increased its stake in shares of Sensient Technologies by 18,766.7% in the fourth quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 566 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $40,000 after acquiring an additional 563 shares during the period. Quarry LP purchased a new position in shares of Sensient Technologies during the fourth quarter worth $50,000. Covestor Ltd raised its holdings in shares of Sensient Technologies by 49.4% during the fourth quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 920 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $66,000 after purchasing an additional 304 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Smartleaf Asset Management LLC lifted its position in Sensient Technologies by 152.4% during the fourth quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 1,123 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock valued at $80,000 after purchasing an additional 678 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.86% of the company's stock.

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.