Short Interest in Sensient Technologies Co. (NYSE:SXT) Drops By 21.2%

Sensient Technologies Co. (NYSE:SXT - Get Free Report) was the target of a significant drop in short interest during the month of February. As of February 15th, there was short interest totalling 485,600 shares, a drop of 21.2% from the January 31st total of 616,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 196,600 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.5 days. Approximately 1.2% of the shares of the company are sold short.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, StockNews.com lowered shares of Sensient Technologies from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 25th.

Sensient Technologies Stock Performance

Shares of SXT stock traded up $1.84 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $73.17. 392,884 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 220,691. Sensient Technologies has a 12 month low of $66.14 and a 12 month high of $82.99. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $72.43 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $75.32. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.10 billion, a PE ratio of 24.89 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.

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Sensient Technologies (NYSE:SXT - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 14th. The specialty chemicals company reported $0.65 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 return on equity of 11.93% and a net margin of 8.01%. The business's quarterly revenue was up 7.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.51 earnings per share. On average, research analysts forecast that Sensient Technologies will post 3.1 EPS for the current year.

Sensient Technologies Dividend Announcement

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

Institutional Trading of Sensient Technologies

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of SXT. Kohmann Bosshard Financial Services LLC purchased a new stake in Sensient Technologies in the 4th quarter worth $25,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp boosted its stake in shares of 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 worth $40,000 after acquiring an additional 563 shares during the period. Quarry LP purchased a new stake in shares of Sensient Technologies during the fourth quarter worth about $50,000. R Squared Ltd bought a new stake in Sensient Technologies during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $65,000. Finally, Covestor Ltd lifted its holdings in Sensient Technologies by 49.4% in the 4th quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 920 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $66,000 after purchasing an additional 304 shares in the last quarter. 90.86% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Sensient Technologies

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.