Stepan (NYSE:SCL) Sees Significant Decline in Short Interest

Stepan (NYSE:SCL - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large decrease in short interest in February. As of February 15th, there was short interest totalling 256,600 shares, a decrease of 37.2% from the January 31st total of 408,600 shares. Currently, 1.2% of the company's shares are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 123,700 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.1 days.

Stepan Stock Up 3.2 %

Shares of SCL traded up $1.82 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $58.51. The stock had a trading volume of 104,719 shares, compared to its average volume of 126,996. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $62.88 and a 200 day simple moving average of $70.71. Stepan has a 12 month low of $56.50 and a 12 month high of $94.76. The company has a current ratio of 1.21, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28. The company has a market capitalization of $1.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.48 and a beta of 0.84.

Stepan (NYSE:SCL - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 19th. The basic materials company reported $0.12 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.45 by ($0.33). Stepan had a net margin of 2.31% and a return on equity of 4.21%. The business had revenue of $525.60 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $520.97 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.33 earnings per share. The firm's quarterly revenue was down 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts predict that Stepan will post 3.55 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

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Stepan Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 14th. Investors of record on Monday, March 3rd will be given a dividend of $0.385 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 3rd. This represents a $1.54 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.63%. Stepan's payout ratio is 69.68%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Susan Lewis acquired 500 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 25th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $63.53 per share, for a total transaction of $31,765.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 1,896 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $120,452.88. This trade represents a 35.82 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Company insiders own 6.90% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Stepan

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of SCL. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Stepan in the 4th quarter worth $7,545,000. Deprince Race & Zollo Inc. grew its position in Stepan by 20.5% in the 4th quarter. Deprince Race & Zollo Inc. now owns 638,500 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $41,311,000 after purchasing an additional 108,556 shares in the last quarter. Southernsun Asset Management LLC increased its stake in Stepan by 24.0% in the 4th quarter. Southernsun Asset Management LLC now owns 383,685 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $24,824,000 after buying an additional 74,238 shares during the last quarter. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of Stepan by 409.2% during the 3rd quarter. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. now owns 92,053 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $7,111,000 after buying an additional 73,976 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Westwood Holdings Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Stepan by 7.1% in the 4th quarter. Westwood Holdings Group Inc. now owns 921,704 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $59,634,000 after buying an additional 60,985 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 82.70% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, StockNews.com lowered Stepan from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Thursday, February 20th.

Stepan Company Profile

Stepan Company, together with its subsidiaries, produces and sells specialty and intermediate chemicals to other manufacturers for use in various end products worldwide. It operates through three segments: Surfactants, Polymers, and Specialty Products. The Surfactants segment offers surfactants that are used in consumer and industrial cleaning and disinfection products, including detergents for washing clothes, dishes, carpets, and floors and walls, as well as shampoos and body washes; and other applications, such as fabric softeners, germicidal quaternary compounds, disinfectants, and lubricating ingredients.