Entropy Technologies LP Takes $689,000 Position in Balchem Co. (NASDAQ:BCPC)

Entropy Technologies LP bought a new position in Balchem Co. (NASDAQ:BCPC - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm bought 4,225 shares of the basic materials company's stock, valued at approximately $689,000.

Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Inspire Investing LLC grew its position in Balchem by 2.7% during 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. Creative Planning boosted its stake in shares of Balchem by 33.4% during the 3rd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 9,777 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $1,721,000 after acquiring an additional 2,449 shares during the last quarter. nVerses Capital LLC bought a new stake in shares of Balchem during the 3rd quarter valued at $35,000. Cardinal Capital Management increased its stake in shares of Balchem by 7.1% in the 3rd quarter. Cardinal Capital Management now owns 24,157 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $4,252,000 after purchasing an additional 1,596 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Net Worth Advisory Group bought a new position in Balchem in the 3rd quarter worth $304,000. 87.91% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Balchem Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ BCPC traded up $1.68 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $164.82. The stock had a trading volume of 131,072 shares, compared to its average volume of 114,008. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21, a quick ratio of 1.90 and a current ratio of 2.98. Balchem Co. has a 12-month low of $137.69 and a 12-month high of $186.03. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $163.46 and a 200-day moving average of $169.59. The company has a market capitalization of $5.36 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 44.31, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.42 and a beta of 0.69.

Balchem Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced an annual dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 17th. Investors of record on Thursday, December 26th were paid a dividend of $0.87 per share. This represents a yield of 0.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, December 26th. This is an increase from Balchem's previous annual dividend of $0.79. Balchem's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 23.39%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have issued reports on BCPC. StockNews.com raised Balchem from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, October 28th. HC Wainwright boosted their price objective on Balchem from $185.00 to $190.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, November 4th.

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.