Raymond James & Associates Raises Stock Position in Balchem Co. (NASDAQ:BCPC)

Raymond James & Associates raised its stake in Balchem Co. (NASDAQ:BCPC - Free Report) by 7.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 54,089 shares of the basic materials company's stock after acquiring an additional 3,741 shares during the period. Raymond James & Associates owned 0.17% of Balchem worth $9,520,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in Balchem by 3.8% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 3,935,935 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $609,873,000 after acquiring an additional 144,423 shares in the last quarter. Conestoga Capital Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Balchem by 2.7% during the second quarter. Conestoga Capital Advisors LLC now owns 1,155,209 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $177,844,000 after buying an additional 29,825 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its stake in shares of Balchem by 0.9% during the second quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 697,461 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $107,372,000 after buying an additional 5,977 shares during the period. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its stake in shares of Balchem by 1.2% during the second quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 277,475 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $42,717,000 after buying an additional 3,279 shares during the period. Finally, William Blair Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Balchem by 8.4% during the second quarter. William Blair Investment Management LLC now owns 233,831 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $35,998,000 after buying an additional 18,104 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.91% of the company's stock.

Balchem Price Performance

Shares of Balchem stock traded down $0.38 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $168.88. The company's stock had a trading volume of 92,225 shares, compared to its average volume of 107,052. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $171.75 and a 200-day moving average price of $162.70. The company has a market capitalization of $5.48 billion, a P/E ratio of 47.82, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.43 and a beta of 0.65. The company has a quick ratio of 1.79, a current ratio of 2.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26. Balchem Co. has a 12-month low of $114.97 and a 12-month high of $186.03.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on BCPC. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Balchem from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday. HC Wainwright increased their price target on shares of Balchem from $170.00 to $185.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 31st.

Balchem Company 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.