Raymond James Financial Inc. Invests $6.48 Million in Sensient Technologies Co. (NYSE:SXT)

Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new position in shares of Sensient Technologies Co. (NYSE:SXT - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm bought 90,973 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock, valued at approximately $6,483,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. owned 0.21% of Sensient Technologies as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of SXT. Kohmann Bosshard Financial Services LLC acquired a new stake in Sensient Technologies in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp grew its position in Sensient Technologies by 18,766.7% in the fourth quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 566 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock valued at $40,000 after purchasing an additional 563 shares in the last quarter. R Squared Ltd bought a new position in shares of Sensient Technologies in the 4th quarter valued at about $65,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC increased its position 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 acquiring an additional 678 shares during the last quarter. Finally, KBC Group NV raised its holdings in Sensient Technologies by 77.3% during the fourth quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 1,787 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $127,000 after acquiring an additional 779 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 90.86% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

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

Sensient Technologies Stock Performance

NYSE:SXT traded up $0.04 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $73.32. 412,411 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 241,061. Sensient Technologies Co. has a one year low of $66.14 and a one year high of $82.99. The business's fifty day simple moving average is $73.31 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $75.13. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.11 billion, a PE ratio of 24.94 and a beta of 0.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58, a quick ratio of 1.34 and a current ratio of 3.55.

Sensient Technologies (NYSE:SXT - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 14th. The specialty chemicals company reported $0.65 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.64 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $376.40 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $375.10 million. Sensient Technologies had a net margin of 8.01% and a return on equity of 11.93%. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 7.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.51 EPS. Analysts anticipate that Sensient Technologies Co. will post 3.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Sensient Technologies Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 3rd. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 4th were issued a dividend of $0.41 per share. This represents a $1.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.24%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 4th. Sensient Technologies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 55.78%.

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.