Norges Bank Makes New $70.17 Million Investment in Balchem Co. (NASDAQ:BCPC)

Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Balchem Co. (NASDAQ:BCPC) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 430,475 shares of the basic materials company’s stock, valued at approximately $70,165,000. Norges Bank owned about 1.32% of Balchem as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in BCPC. Westside Investment Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Balchem during the 3rd quarter worth $27,000. R Squared Ltd purchased a new position in Balchem during the fourth quarter worth about $29,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB acquired a new position in Balchem in the 3rd quarter valued at about $35,000. Venturi Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Balchem in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $95,000. Finally, Smartleaf Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Balchem by 230.8% during the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 645 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $106,000 after buying an additional 450 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.91% of the company’s stock.

Balchem Trading Up 0.1 %

BCPC opened at $167.35 on Thursday. Balchem Co. has a 52 week low of $137.69 and a 52 week high of $186.03. The company has a quick ratio of 1.16, a current ratio of 1.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $165.56 and a 200-day simple moving average of $169.22. The firm has a market cap of $5.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 42.58, a P/E/G ratio of 4.41 and a beta of 0.63.

Balchem (NASDAQ:BCPC) last released its earnings results on Friday, February 21st. The basic materials company reported $1.03 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.11 by ($0.08). Balchem had a net margin of 13.47% and a return on equity of 11.37%. The firm had revenue of $240.00 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $239.96 million. On average, equities analysts expect that Balchem Co. will post 4.64 earnings per share for the current year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages recently weighed in on BCPC. StockNews.com lowered Balchem from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 25th. HC Wainwright reissued a “buy” rating and set a $190.00 price objective on shares of Balchem in a research report on Monday, February 24th. Finally, Sidoti raised shares of Balchem to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 25th.

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.