Quest Partners LLC Sells 21,130 Shares of Sensient Technologies Co. (NYSE:SXT)

Quest Partners LLC cut its position in shares of Sensient Technologies Co. (NYSE:SXT - Free Report) by 52.2% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 19,317 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock after selling 21,130 shares during the quarter. Quest Partners LLC's holdings in Sensient Technologies were worth $1,550,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of SXT. Quarry LP bought a new stake in Sensient Technologies during the 2nd quarter worth $29,000. nVerses Capital LLC bought a new stake in Sensient Technologies during the third quarter valued at about $72,000. Hantz Financial Services Inc. purchased a new position in Sensient Technologies during the second quarter valued at approximately $129,000. Blue Trust Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Sensient Technologies by 2,753.7% during the 3rd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,912 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $142,000 after purchasing an additional 1,845 shares during the period. Finally, Stanley Laman Group Ltd. purchased a new position in Sensient Technologies during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $214,000. 90.86% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have commented on the company. Robert W. Baird increased their target price on Sensient Technologies from $80.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Monday, July 29th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Sensient Technologies from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, October 28th.

Insider Activity

In other Sensient Technologies news, insider Michael C. Geraghty sold 4,000 shares of Sensient Technologies stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $80.48, for a total transaction of $321,920.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 36,518 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,938,968.64. The trade was a 9.87 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Corporate insiders own 1.40% of the company's stock.

Sensient Technologies Stock Performance

NYSE SXT traded down $0.14 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $76.31. 152,625 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 174,303. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.23 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.58 and a beta of 0.76. The business's fifty day moving average price is $77.64 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $76.27. The company has a current ratio of 3.74, a quick ratio of 1.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58. Sensient Technologies Co. has a 52 week low of $55.02 and a 52 week high of $82.99.

Sensient Technologies (NYSE:SXT - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Friday, October 25th. The specialty chemicals company reported $0.80 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.80. The company had revenue of $392.61 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $390.64 million. Sensient Technologies had a net margin of 5.80% and a return on equity of 11.41%. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 7.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.75 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Sensient Technologies Co. will post 2.82 EPS for the current year.

Sensient Technologies Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 2nd. Investors of record on Monday, November 4th will be given a dividend of $0.41 per share. This represents a $1.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.15%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 4th. Sensient Technologies's payout ratio is presently 78.47%.

Sensient Technologies Company 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.