Congress Asset Management Co. Raises Stock Holdings in Balchem Co. (NASDAQ:BCPC)

Congress Asset Management Co. raised its stake in Balchem Co. (NASDAQ:BCPC) by 5.4% during the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 317,610 shares of the basic materials company’s stock after buying an additional 16,170 shares during the quarter. Congress Asset Management Co.’s holdings in Balchem were worth $51,769,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in BCPC. Westside Investment Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Balchem in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $27,000. R Squared Ltd purchased a new position in Balchem in the fourth quarter worth $29,000. nVerses Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of Balchem during the third quarter worth $35,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB purchased a new stake in shares of Balchem during the 3rd quarter valued at $35,000. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. boosted its position in shares of Balchem by 642.5% in the 3rd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 839 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $148,000 after purchasing an additional 726 shares in the last quarter. 87.91% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Balchem Price Performance

Shares of BCPC opened at $164.82 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.36 billion, a PE ratio of 44.31, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.42 and a beta of 0.69. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21, a current ratio of 2.98 and a quick ratio of 1.90. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $163.46 and its 200-day moving average price is $169.59. Balchem Co. has a 1-year low of $137.69 and a 1-year high of $186.03.

Balchem Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed an annual dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 17th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 26th were issued a $0.87 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, December 26th. This is a positive change from Balchem’s previous annual dividend of $0.79. This represents a dividend yield of 0.4%. Balchem’s dividend payout ratio is currently 23.39%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have commented on BCPC. StockNews.com upgraded Balchem from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, October 28th. HC Wainwright increased their price objective on shares of Balchem from $185.00 to $190.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, November 4th.

Balchem Company Profile

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.