Sensient Technologies Co. (NYSE:SXT) Short Interest Up 20.3% in March

Sensient Technologies Co. (NYSE:SXT) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest during the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 712,900 shares, a growth of 20.3% from the March 15th total of 592,500 shares. Currently, 1.7% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 285,500 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.5 days.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, StockNews.com cut shares of Sensient Technologies from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, March 22nd.

Sensient Technologies Stock Up 0.2 %

Shares of SXT stock opened at $74.24 on Monday. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $72.55 and its 200-day moving average price is $74.67. Sensient Technologies has a one year low of $66.15 and a one year high of $82.99. The company has a market capitalization of $3.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.23 and a beta of 0.63. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 3.55 and a quick ratio of 1.34.

Sensient Technologies (NYSE:SXT) last posted its earnings results on Friday, February 14th. The specialty chemicals company reported $0.65 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.64 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $376.40 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $375.10 million. Sensient Technologies had a net margin of 8.01% and a return on equity of 11.93%. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 7.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.51 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Sensient Technologies will post 3.1 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Trading of Sensient Technologies

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Kohmann Bosshard Financial Services LLC purchased a new position in Sensient Technologies in the fourth quarter valued at about $25,000. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its stake in Sensient Technologies by 132.6% during the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 435 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 248 shares during the last quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp raised its position in shares of Sensient Technologies by 18,766.7% in the 4th quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 566 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock valued at $40,000 after purchasing an additional 563 shares during the last quarter. Quarry LP acquired a new stake in Sensient Technologies in the 4th quarter worth approximately $50,000. Finally, R Squared Ltd acquired a new position in Sensient Technologies during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $65,000. Institutional investors own 90.86% of the company’s stock.

About Sensient Technologies

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.