Sensient Technologies (NYSE:SXT) Rating Lowered to “Hold” at StockNews.com

Sensient Technologies (NYSE:SXT) was downgraded by research analysts at StockNews.com from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Saturday.

Sensient Technologies Trading Down 1.8 %

Shares of Sensient Technologies stock opened at $72.75 on Friday. Sensient Technologies has a 52-week low of $66.15 and a 52-week high of $82.99. The stock has a market cap of $3.08 billion, a PE ratio of 24.74 and a beta of 0.71. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $73.10 and a 200-day moving average of $75.16. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58, a quick ratio of 1.34 and a current ratio of 3.55.

Sensient Technologies (NYSE:SXT) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 14th. The specialty chemicals company reported $0.65 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.64 by $0.01. Sensient Technologies had a net margin of 8.01% and a return on equity of 11.93%. The firm had revenue of $376.40 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $375.10 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.51 EPS. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 7.8% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Sensient Technologies will post 3.1 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Freemont Capital Pte Ltd bought a new position in Sensient Technologies in the 4th quarter valued at about $449,288,000. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Sensient Technologies during the 4th quarter worth approximately $45,757,000. Marshall Wace LLP bought a new position in Sensient Technologies in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $24,490,000. Wealthfront Advisers LLC acquired a new position in Sensient Technologies during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $7,270,000. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its stake in Sensient Technologies by 100.9% during the fourth quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 200,726 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $14,304,000 after purchasing an additional 100,788 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.86% of the company’s stock.

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.