Balchem Co. (NASDAQ:BCPC) Stake Increased by Argent Capital Management LLC

Argent Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Balchem Co. (NASDAQ:BCPC - Free Report) by 39.1% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 5,821 shares of the basic materials company's stock after purchasing an additional 1,636 shares during the quarter. Argent Capital Management LLC's holdings in Balchem were worth $949,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in BCPC. Inspire Investing LLC grew its holdings in Balchem by 2.7% in the 3rd quarter. Inspire Investing LLC now owns 2,348 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $413,000 after buying an additional 62 shares in the last quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC grew its holdings in Balchem by 1.5% in the 2nd quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 4,915 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $757,000 after buying an additional 75 shares in the last quarter. Atomi Financial Group Inc. grew its holdings in Balchem by 6.1% in the 3rd quarter. Atomi Financial Group Inc. now owns 1,674 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $295,000 after buying an additional 96 shares in the last quarter. Xponance Inc. grew its holdings in Balchem by 5.2% in the 2nd quarter. Xponance Inc. now owns 2,046 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $315,000 after buying an additional 102 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Benjamin Edwards Inc. grew its holdings in Balchem by 6.6% in the 2nd quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 2,231 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $344,000 after buying an additional 138 shares in the last quarter. 87.91% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on BCPC. HC Wainwright increased their price objective on Balchem from $185.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, November 4th. StockNews.com raised Balchem from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, October 28th.

Balchem Price Performance

Shares of BCPC traded up $0.33 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $160.51. 98,044 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 126,418. The company has a market capitalization of $5.22 billion, a PE ratio of 43.15, a PEG ratio of 4.15 and a beta of 0.69. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21, a current ratio of 2.98 and a quick ratio of 1.90. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $171.30 and a 200-day simple moving average of $170.80. Balchem Co. has a one year low of $135.84 and a one year high of $186.03.

Balchem Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed an annual dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 17th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 26th will be paid a dividend of $0.87 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 26th. This is a positive change from Balchem's previous annual dividend of $0.79. This represents a dividend yield of 0.4%. Balchem's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 23.39%.

About Balchem

Balchem Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets specialty performance ingredients and products for the nutritional, food, pharmaceutical, animal health, medical device sterilization, plant nutrition, and industrial markets worldwide. It operates through three segments: Human Nutrition and Health, Animal Nutrition and Health, and Specialty Products.