Balchem Co. (NASDAQ:BCPC) Shares Sold by Renaissance Technologies LLC

Renaissance Technologies LLC reduced its stake in Balchem Co. (NASDAQ:BCPC - Free Report) by 5.1% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 170,900 shares of the basic materials company's stock after selling 9,100 shares during the quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC owned 0.53% of Balchem worth $27,856,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Balchem in the 4th quarter valued at about $70,165,000. Proficio Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Balchem in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $23,628,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Balchem in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $13,359,000. FMR LLC increased its stake in Balchem by 16.0% during the 4th quarter. FMR LLC now owns 576,994 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $94,047,000 after buying an additional 79,499 shares during the period. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its holdings in Balchem by 11.0% during the 4th quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 509,490 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $83,044,000 after buying an additional 50,504 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.91% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the company. HC Wainwright reiterated a "buy" rating and issued a $190.00 target price on shares of Balchem in a report on Monday, February 24th. Sidoti upgraded Balchem to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 25th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered shares of Balchem from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 25th.

Balchem Stock Performance

NASDAQ:BCPC traded down $0.13 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $161.19. 53,761 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 128,821. The company has a quick ratio of 1.16, a current ratio of 1.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 41.03, a P/E/G ratio of 4.41 and a beta of 0.75. Balchem Co. has a 1-year low of $137.69 and a 1-year high of $186.03. The company has a 50-day moving average of $164.77 and a 200 day moving average of $167.89.

Balchem (NASDAQ:BCPC - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 21st. The basic materials company reported $1.03 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.11 by ($0.08). Balchem had a return on equity of 11.37% and a net margin of 13.47%. The firm had revenue of $240.00 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $239.96 million. Research analysts anticipate that Balchem Co. will post 4.64 EPS for the current year.

Balchem Profile

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.