Robert W. Baird Issues Positive Forecast for Sensient Technologies (NYSE:SXT) Stock Price

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

A number of other research firms have also issued reports on SXT. Wall Street Zen lowered Sensient Technologies from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Saturday, March 22nd. CJS Securities assumed coverage on Sensient Technologies in a report on Tuesday, June 10th. They set a "market perform" rating and a $95.00 price objective for the company.

Sensient Technologies Price Performance

Sensient Technologies stock traded up $2.75 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $107.90. 450,996 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 245,415. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 4.34 and a quick ratio of 1.74. The business's 50 day simple moving average is $95.98 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $81.22. The company has a market capitalization of $4.58 billion, a P/E 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.

Sensient Technologies (NYSE:SXT - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, April 25th. The specialty chemicals company reported $0.86 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates 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% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.73 earnings per share. Analysts forecast that Sensient Technologies will post 3.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Sensient Technologies Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 2nd. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 12th were given a $0.41 dividend. This represents a $1.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.52%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, May 12th. Sensient Technologies's dividend payout ratio is currently 54.30%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Mario Ferruzzi sold 1,668 shares of Sensient Technologies stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $95.45, for a total transaction of $159,210.60. Following the sale, the director directly owned 7,946 shares of the company's stock, valued at $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 Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 1.20% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Sensient Technologies

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Freemont Capital Pte Ltd bought a new position in Sensient Technologies in the 4th quarter worth approximately $449,288,000. Congress Asset Management Co. bought a new position in Sensient Technologies in the 1st quarter worth approximately $49,984,000. Norges Bank bought a new position in Sensient Technologies in the 4th quarter worth approximately $45,757,000. Marshall Wace LLP bought a new position in Sensient Technologies in the 4th quarter worth approximately $24,490,000. Finally, Nuveen LLC bought a new position in Sensient Technologies in the 1st quarter worth approximately $24,434,000. Institutional investors own 90.86% of the company's stock.

Sensient Technologies Company Profile

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.