Sensient Technologies Co. (NYSE:SXT) Sees Large Decline in Short Interest

Sensient Technologies Co. (NYSE:SXT) was the target of a significant decrease in short interest during the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 611,200 shares, a decrease of 29.3% from the March 15th total of 865,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 201,700 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.0 days. Approximately 1.7% of the company’s stock are sold short.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Sensient Technologies

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Milestone Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Sensient Technologies during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Covestor Ltd grew its stake in shares of Sensient Technologies by 88.1% during the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 489 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $41,000 after purchasing an additional 229 shares during the period. Signaturefd LLC grew its stake in shares of Sensient Technologies by 1,486.7% during the 3rd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 714 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $42,000 after purchasing an additional 669 shares during the period. State of Wyoming grew its stake in shares of Sensient Technologies by 23.3% during the 4th quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 720 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $53,000 after purchasing an additional 136 shares during the period. Finally, ST Germain D J Co. Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Sensient Technologies during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $64,000. 90.86% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Sensient Technologies Stock Down 1.8 %

Shares of SXT stock traded down $1.25 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $68.32. 149,253 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 198,270. The stock has a market cap of $2.89 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.67 and a beta of 0.79. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $66.69 and its two-hundred day moving average is $62.45. Sensient Technologies has a 52-week low of $52.90 and a 52-week high of $78.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61, a current ratio of 3.96 and a quick ratio of 1.43.

Sensient Technologies (NYSE:SXT) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 9th. The specialty chemicals company reported $0.51 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.55 by ($0.04). The company had revenue of $349.30 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $371.10 million. Sensient Technologies had a net margin of 6.41% and a return on equity of 11.52%. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up .2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.64 earnings per share. Equities analysts predict that Sensient Technologies will post 2.95 EPS for the current year.

Sensient Technologies Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 1st. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 6th were given a $0.41 dividend. This represents a $1.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.40%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, February 5th. Sensient Technologies’s payout ratio is currently 73.87%.

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.