Sensient Technologies (NYSE:SXT) Upgraded by Zacks Research to Hold Rating

Zacks Research upgraded shares of Sensient Technologies (NYSE:SXT) to a hold rating in a research note released on Tuesday,Zacks.com reports.

Separately, Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of Sensient Technologies in a research report on Monday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Sensient Technologies has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $110.00.

Sensient Technologies Stock Performance

Sensient Technologies stock opened at $96.50 on Tuesday. Sensient Technologies has a fifty-two week low of $66.14 and a fifty-two week high of $121.54. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $94.26 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $101.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60, a quick ratio of 1.79 and a current ratio of 4.59. The stock has a market cap of $4.10 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.51 and a beta of 0.58.

Sensient Technologies (NYSE:SXT) last announced its earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The specialty chemicals company reported $0.96 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.90 by $0.06. Sensient Technologies had a return on equity of 12.91% and a net margin of 8.72%.The firm had revenue of $412.11 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $407.45 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.80 EPS. The business’s revenue was up 5.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Sensient Technologies has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.130-3.230 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that Sensient Technologies will post 3.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Sensient Technologies Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 10th were paid a dividend of $0.41 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 10th. This represents a $1.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.7%. Sensient Technologies’s payout ratio is presently 50.15%.

Insider Transactions at Sensient Technologies

In other news, Director Essie Whitelaw sold 3,985 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $95.02, for a total transaction of $378,654.70. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 17,128 shares in the company, valued at $1,627,502.56. This trade represents a 18.87% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Joseph Carleone purchased 1,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 3rd. The stock was purchased at an average price of $91.26 per share, for a total transaction of $91,260.00. Following the purchase, the director owned 22,414 shares in the company, valued at $2,045,501.64. This represents a 4.67% increase in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this purchase are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders own 1.20% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Sensient Technologies

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Private Trust Co. NA bought a new position in Sensient Technologies in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $29,000. State of Wyoming bought a new stake in shares of Sensient Technologies in the 3rd quarter worth $32,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Sensient Technologies by 181.1% in the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 475 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $47,000 after purchasing an additional 306 shares during the last quarter. Danske Bank A S purchased a new position in shares of Sensient Technologies in the third quarter worth $47,000. Finally, Quarry LP bought a new position in shares of Sensient Technologies during the third quarter valued at $54,000. Hedge funds and other 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.