Sensient Technologies (NYSE:SXT) Hits New 1-Year High - Time to Buy?

Sensient Technologies Corporation (NYSE:SXT - Get Free Report)'s share price hit a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $98.50 and last traded at $98.34, with a volume of 365614 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $95.89.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have commented on SXT shares. Wall Street Zen cut Sensient Technologies from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Saturday, March 22nd. Robert W. Baird increased their price target on Sensient Technologies from $85.00 to $93.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Monday, April 28th. Finally, 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.

Sensient Technologies Stock Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of $4.18 billion, a PE ratio of 32.56 and a beta of 0.56. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $91.19 and a 200-day moving average of $79.47. The company has a quick ratio of 1.74, a current ratio of 4.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62.

Sensient Technologies (NYSE:SXT - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, April 25th. The specialty chemicals company reported $0.86 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.82 by $0.04. Sensient Technologies had a return on equity of 12.14% and a net margin of 8.19%. The company had revenue of $392.33 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $387.70 million. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.73 EPS. Sensient Technologies's revenue for the quarter was up 2.0% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts anticipate that Sensient Technologies Corporation will post 3.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Sensient Technologies Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 2nd. Investors of record on Monday, May 12th were given a $0.41 dividend. This represents a $1.64 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.67%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, May 12th. Sensient Technologies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 54.30%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Mario Ferruzzi sold 1,668 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $95.45, for a total value of $159,210.60. Following the sale, the director now owns 7,946 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $758,445.70. This represents a 17.35% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 1.20% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Sensient Technologies

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in SXT. Voya Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in Sensient Technologies by 14.0% in the 1st quarter. Voya Investment Management LLC now owns 19,663 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock valued at $1,464,000 after purchasing an additional 2,408 shares in the last quarter. Strs Ohio acquired a new stake in Sensient Technologies in the 1st quarter valued at $119,000. Intech Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in Sensient Technologies by 5.9% in the 1st quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 27,206 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock valued at $2,025,000 after purchasing an additional 1,519 shares in the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC increased its holdings in Sensient Technologies by 111.7% in the 1st quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 52,496 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock valued at $3,907,000 after purchasing an additional 27,693 shares in the last quarter. Finally, UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC increased its holdings in Sensient Technologies by 14.0% in the 1st quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 112,151 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock valued at $8,347,000 after purchasing an additional 13,780 shares in the last quarter. 90.86% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.

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