Sensient Technologies (NYSE:SXT) Stock Price Passes Above Two Hundred Day Moving Average - Should You Sell?

Sensient Technologies Co. (NYSE:SXT - Get Free Report) shares passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $75.95 and traded as high as $76.40. Sensient Technologies shares last traded at $76.02, with a volume of 96,724 shares changing hands.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, StockNews.com upgraded Sensient Technologies from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, October 28th.

Sensient Technologies Trading Down 0.4 %

The company has a quick ratio of 1.47, a current ratio of 3.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.37 and a beta of 0.77. The business's 50-day simple moving average is $74.50 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $75.96.

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

Sensient Technologies Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 3rd. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 4th will be issued a $0.41 dividend. This represents a $1.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.16%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 4th. Sensient Technologies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 78.47%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Michael C. Geraghty sold 4,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on 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 directly 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 document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 1.40% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Sensient Technologies

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in SXT. Quarry LP acquired a new position in Sensient Technologies in the second quarter valued at approximately $29,000. R Squared Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Sensient Technologies during the 4th quarter worth approximately $65,000. nVerses Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of Sensient Technologies in the 3rd quarter valued at $72,000. KBC Group NV grew its position in shares of Sensient Technologies by 77.3% in the 4th quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 1,787 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock valued at $127,000 after buying an additional 779 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. raised its stake in 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 acquiring an additional 1,845 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.86% of the company's stock.

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.