Sensient Technologies Co. (NYSE:SXT) Short Interest Update

Sensient Technologies Co. (NYSE:SXT - Get Free Report) was the target of a significant growth in short interest in April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totalling 870,300 shares, a growth of 22.1% from the March 31st total of 712,900 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 323,600 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.7 days. Currently, 2.1% of the company's shares are sold short.

Sensient Technologies Stock Up 1.3 %

SXT traded up $1.17 on Friday, hitting $93.83. 252,027 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 213,604. The company has a current ratio of 3.55, a quick ratio of 1.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58. The company has a market cap of $3.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.91 and a beta of 0.63. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $75.62 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $75.37. Sensient Technologies has a twelve month low of $66.15 and a twelve month high of $94.79.

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, topping the consensus estimate of $0.82 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $392.33 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $387.70 million. Sensient Technologies had a return on equity of 11.93% and a net margin of 8.01%. The business's quarterly revenue was up 2.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.73 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that Sensient Technologies will post 3.1 earnings per share for the current year.

Sensient Technologies Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 2nd. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 12th will be paid a dividend of $0.41 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, May 12th. This represents a $1.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.75%. Sensient Technologies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 54.30%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages recently commented on SXT. StockNews.com cut Sensient Technologies from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Saturday, March 22nd. Robert W. Baird upped their target price on shares of Sensient Technologies from $85.00 to $93.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Monday, April 28th.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Sensient Technologies

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in SXT. Freemont Capital Pte Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Sensient Technologies during the 4th quarter worth approximately $449,288,000. Congress Asset Management Co. acquired a new stake in Sensient Technologies in the first quarter valued at $49,984,000. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Sensient Technologies during the 4th quarter worth $45,757,000. Marshall Wace LLP acquired a new position in shares of Sensient Technologies during the 4th quarter worth $24,490,000. Finally, Wealthfront Advisers LLC acquired a new position in shares of Sensient Technologies during the 4th quarter worth $7,270,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds 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.

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