Balchem (NASDAQ:BCPC) Sees Unusually-High Trading Volume - Here's Why

Balchem Co. (NASDAQ:BCPC - Get Free Report) saw unusually-high trading volume on Friday . Approximately 62,570 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 44% from the previous session's volume of 110,896 shares.The stock last traded at $164.36 and had previously closed at $166.51.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on the company. StockNews.com upgraded Balchem from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, October 28th. HC Wainwright boosted their price objective on Balchem from $185.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, November 4th.

Balchem Price Performance

The firm has a market cap of $5.38 billion, a PE ratio of 44.49, a P/E/G ratio of 5.32 and a beta of 0.67. 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 business's fifty day moving average is $175.12 and its 200-day moving average is $169.53.

Balchem Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared 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 represents a dividend yield of 0.4%. This is a positive change from Balchem's previous annual dividend of $0.79. Balchem's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 23.39%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Balchem

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Inspire Investing LLC raised its stake in shares of Balchem by 2.7% in the third quarter. Inspire Investing LLC now owns 2,348 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $413,000 after buying an additional 62 shares during the period. Hsbc Holdings PLC increased 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 acquiring an additional 75 shares during the last quarter. Atomi Financial Group Inc. raised its stake 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 valued at $295,000 after acquiring an additional 96 shares during the period. Xponance Inc. lifted its holdings in Balchem by 5.2% during the second quarter. Xponance Inc. now owns 2,046 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $315,000 after purchasing an additional 102 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Benjamin Edwards Inc. boosted its position in Balchem by 6.6% during the second quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 2,231 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $344,000 after purchasing an additional 138 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.91% of the company's stock.

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.