Prudential PLC Makes New Investment in Balchem Co. (NASDAQ:BCPC)

Prudential PLC bought a new position in shares of Balchem Co. (NASDAQ:BCPC - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm bought 2,905 shares of the basic materials company's stock, valued at approximately $474,000.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in BCPC. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in Balchem by 1.1% in the fourth quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 3,961,487 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $645,703,000 after acquiring an additional 42,693 shares during the period. State Street Corp boosted its stake in shares of Balchem by 1.0% during the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 1,234,226 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $217,224,000 after purchasing an additional 12,006 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in Balchem by 1.0% during the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 938,504 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $153,000,000 after buying an additional 9,600 shares during the period. Geneva Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in Balchem by 5.1% during the fourth quarter. Geneva Capital Management LLC now owns 819,746 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $133,615,000 after buying an additional 39,877 shares during the period. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its position in shares of Balchem by 11.0% in the 4th quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 509,490 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $83,044,000 after acquiring an additional 50,504 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 87.91% of the company's stock.

Balchem Stock Performance

BCPC traded up $2.01 on Monday, reaching $162.74. 16,966 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 127,442. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19, a current ratio of 1.99 and a quick ratio of 1.16. Balchem Co. has a fifty-two week low of $137.69 and a fifty-two week high of $186.03. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.29 billion, a PE ratio of 41.41, a PEG ratio of 4.41 and a beta of 0.75. The company's 50-day moving average price is $164.78 and its 200 day moving average price is $168.05.

Balchem (NASDAQ:BCPC - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, February 21st. The basic materials company reported $1.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.11 by ($0.08). Balchem had a net margin of 13.47% and a return on equity of 11.37%. The firm had revenue of $240.00 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $239.96 million. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Balchem Co. will post 4.64 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

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

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.