Sensient Technologies Co. (NYSE:SXT) Shares Sold by Meyer Handelman Co.

Meyer Handelman Co. lessened its stake in Sensient Technologies Co. (NYSE:SXT) by 38.8% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 25,200 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock after selling 16,000 shares during the quarter. Meyer Handelman Co.’s holdings in Sensient Technologies were worth $1,744,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Nordea Investment Management AB boosted its holdings in shares of Sensient Technologies by 21.9% in the 4th quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 1,688,101 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock valued at $111,617,000 after purchasing an additional 303,612 shares during the last quarter. Robeco Schweiz AG lifted its holdings in shares of Sensient Technologies by 12.8% during the 4th quarter. Robeco Schweiz AG now owns 92,840 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock valued at $6,127,000 after acquiring an additional 10,500 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its holdings in shares of Sensient Technologies by 12.5% during the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,161,451 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock valued at $76,657,000 after acquiring an additional 129,386 shares in the last quarter. Brandes Investment Partners LP acquired a new position in shares of Sensient Technologies during the 4th quarter valued at $424,000. Finally, Moody National Bank Trust Division lifted its holdings in shares of Sensient Technologies by 31.6% during the 1st quarter. Moody National Bank Trust Division now owns 13,841 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock valued at $958,000 after acquiring an additional 3,320 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.86% of the company’s stock.

Sensient Technologies Stock Performance

Shares of SXT stock opened at $74.48 on Friday. Sensient Technologies Co. has a 12 month low of $52.90 and a 12 month high of $78.77. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60, a current ratio of 4.31 and a quick ratio of 1.71. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.16 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.64 and a beta of 0.78. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $74.24 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $68.41.

Sensient Technologies (NYSE:SXT) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, April 26th. The specialty chemicals company reported $0.79 EPS for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $384.67 million for the quarter. Sensient Technologies had a net margin of 6.16% and a return on equity of 11.40%. On average, research analysts anticipate that Sensient Technologies Co. will post 2.85 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Sensient Technologies Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 3rd. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 6th were given a $0.41 dividend. This represents a $1.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.20%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 3rd. Sensient Technologies’s payout ratio is currently 76.28%.

Insider Transactions at Sensient Technologies

In other news, Director Essie Whitelaw sold 1,037 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $75.75, for a total value of $78,552.75. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 20,789 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,574,766.75. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, insider Steven B. Morris sold 400 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, April 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.97, for a total transaction of $29,188.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 4,082 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $297,863.54. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, Director Essie Whitelaw sold 1,037 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $75.75, for a total transaction of $78,552.75. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 20,789 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,574,766.75. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 2,037 shares of company stock valued at $153,245. Insiders own 1.40% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

SXT has been the topic of several recent research reports. StockNews.com lowered shares of Sensient Technologies from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, June 15th. Robert W. Baird lifted their target price on shares of Sensient Technologies from $70.00 to $80.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday, April 29th.

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.