Barclays PLC Grows Position in Sensient Technologies Co. (NYSE:SXT)

Barclays PLC lifted its holdings in Sensient Technologies Co. (NYSE:SXT - Free Report) by 107.4% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 160,228 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock after purchasing an additional 82,968 shares during the period. Barclays PLC owned about 0.38% of Sensient Technologies worth $11,417,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Kohmann Bosshard Financial Services LLC bought a new stake in shares of Sensient Technologies during the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp lifted its holdings in Sensient Technologies by 18,766.7% during the 4th quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 566 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $40,000 after buying an additional 563 shares in the last quarter. R Squared Ltd bought a new position in shares of Sensient Technologies in the 4th quarter worth $65,000. Covestor Ltd raised its position in shares of Sensient Technologies by 49.4% during the fourth quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 920 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $66,000 after purchasing an additional 304 shares during the period. Finally, Smartleaf Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Sensient Technologies by 152.4% in the fourth 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. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.86% of the company's stock.

Sensient Technologies Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:SXT traded up $10.80 on Friday, hitting $90.94. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,073,899 shares, compared to its average volume of 202,181. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 3.55 and a quick ratio of 1.34. Sensient Technologies Co. has a 1 year low of $66.15 and a 1 year high of $91.05. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $72.90 and a 200 day simple moving average of $74.74. The company has a market capitalization of $3.86 billion, a PE ratio of 30.89 and a beta of 0.63.

Sensient Technologies (NYSE:SXT - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, April 25th. The specialty chemicals company reported $0.86 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.82 by $0.04. Sensient Technologies had a return on equity of 11.93% and a net margin of 8.01%. Sell-side analysts forecast that Sensient Technologies Co. will post 3.1 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Sensient Technologies Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 2nd. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 12th will be given a dividend of $0.41 per share. This represents a $1.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.80%. Sensient Technologies's payout ratio is 55.78%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, StockNews.com downgraded shares of Sensient Technologies from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Saturday, March 22nd.

Sensient Technologies 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.