Short Interest in Balchem Co. (NASDAQ:BCPC) Decreases By 11.0%

Balchem Co. (NASDAQ:BCPC - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant drop in short interest in November. As of November 30th, there was short interest totalling 436,600 shares, a drop of 11.0% from the November 15th total of 490,300 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 119,300 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 3.7 days. Currently, 1.4% of the company's stock are short sold.

Balchem Stock Down 0.9 %

Shares of BCPC traded down $1.52 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $175.73. The company's stock had a trading volume of 145,551 shares, compared to its average volume of 109,839. The company's 50 day moving average is $175.13 and its 200 day moving average is $169.27. The stock has a market cap of $5.71 billion, a PE ratio of 47.24, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.32 and a beta of 0.67. Balchem has a 12-month low of $135.84 and a 12-month high of $186.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21, a current ratio of 2.98 and a quick ratio of 1.90.

Balchem Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced an annual dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 17th. Investors of record on Thursday, December 26th will be given a $0.87 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 0.4%. This is an increase from Balchem's previous annual dividend of $0.79. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 26th. Balchem's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 10.75%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Balchem

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Tidal Investments LLC grew its holdings in shares of Balchem by 10.5% during the third quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 7,975 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $1,404,000 after purchasing an additional 761 shares during the last quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB purchased a new position in Balchem during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $35,000. Westside Investment Management Inc. acquired a new position in Balchem during the third quarter worth approximately $27,000. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in Balchem by 3.1% in the third quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 928,904 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $163,514,000 after buying an additional 27,979 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Barclays PLC boosted its holdings in shares of Balchem by 405.8% in the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 60,777 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $10,695,000 after acquiring an additional 48,762 shares during the period. 87.91% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

BCPC has been the subject of several analyst reports. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Balchem from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, October 28th. HC Wainwright boosted their target price on shares of Balchem from $185.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, November 4th.

About Balchem

Balchem Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets specialty performance ingredients and products for the nutritional, food, pharmaceutical, animal health, medical device sterilization, plant nutrition, and industrial markets worldwide. It operates through three segments: Human Nutrition and Health, Animal Nutrition and Health, and Specialty Products.

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