Sensient Technologies (NYSE:SXT) Shares Gap Down - Time to Sell?

Shares of Sensient Technologies Co. (NYSE:SXT - Get Free Report) gapped down before the market opened on Friday . The stock had previously closed at $77.00, but opened at $71.90. Sensient Technologies shares last traded at $71.57, with a volume of 119,725 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 Stock Down 0.5 %

The company has a market capitalization of $3.00 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.92 and a beta of 0.77. The company has a current ratio of 3.74, a quick ratio of 1.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58. The stock's fifty day moving average is $73.67 and its 200 day moving average is $75.54.

Sensient Technologies (NYSE:SXT - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, February 14th. The specialty chemicals company reported $0.65 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.64 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $376.40 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $375.10 million. Sensient Technologies had a return on equity of 11.41% and a net margin of 5.80%. Sensient Technologies's quarterly revenue was up 7.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.51 earnings per share. Research analysts predict that Sensient Technologies Co. will post 2.82 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Sensient Technologies Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 3rd. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 4th will be paid a $0.41 dividend. This represents a $1.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.31%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 4th. Sensient Technologies's payout ratio is 78.47%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in SXT. Freemont Capital Pte Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Sensient Technologies during the fourth quarter valued at about $449,288,000. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in Sensient Technologies by 0.7% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 5,064,724 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock valued at $360,912,000 after acquiring an additional 36,406 shares in the last quarter. Janus Henderson Group PLC raised its position in shares of Sensient Technologies by 1.1% in the 4th quarter. Janus Henderson Group PLC now owns 2,257,033 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $160,836,000 after acquiring an additional 25,230 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp raised its position in shares of Sensient Technologies by 3.7% in the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 1,694,114 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $135,902,000 after acquiring an additional 60,622 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its stake in shares of Sensient Technologies by 2.2% in the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,223,728 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock valued at $87,203,000 after purchasing an additional 26,119 shares during the period. 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.