AlphaQuest LLC Lowers Holdings in Sensient Technologies Co. (NYSE:SXT)

AlphaQuest LLC lessened its position in Sensient Technologies Co. (NYSE:SXT - Free Report) by 22.5% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 14,974 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock after selling 4,343 shares during the period. AlphaQuest LLC's holdings in Sensient Technologies were worth $1,067,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Kohmann Bosshard Financial Services LLC bought a new position in shares of Sensient Technologies during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp boosted its holdings in Sensient Technologies by 18,766.7% in the fourth quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 566 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $40,000 after acquiring an additional 563 shares in the last quarter. R Squared Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Sensient Technologies in the fourth quarter worth $65,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC grew its position in Sensient Technologies by 152.4% during the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 1,123 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock valued at $80,000 after purchasing an additional 678 shares during the last quarter. Finally, KBC Group NV increased its position in shares of Sensient Technologies by 77.3% during the fourth quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 1,787 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock valued at $127,000 after acquiring an additional 779 shares in the last quarter. 90.86% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Sensient Technologies Stock Performance

NYSE SXT traded down $0.62 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $73.40. 144,101 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 222,629. Sensient Technologies Co. has a 52 week low of $66.14 and a 52 week high of $82.99. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.96 and a beta of 0.71. 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 business's fifty day moving average price is $72.55 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $75.33.

Sensient Technologies (NYSE:SXT - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, February 14th. The specialty chemicals company reported $0.65 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.64 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $376.40 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $375.10 million. Sensient Technologies had a net margin of 8.01% and a return on equity of 11.93%. The firm's revenue was up 7.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.51 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Sensient Technologies Co. will post 3.1 EPS for the current year.

Sensient Technologies Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 3rd. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 4th were issued a $0.41 dividend. This represents a $1.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.23%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 4th. Sensient Technologies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 55.78%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, StockNews.com cut Sensient Technologies from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 25th.

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.