UniSuper Management Pty Ltd Makes New Investment in Sensient Technologies Co. (NYSE:SXT)

UniSuper Management Pty Ltd bought a new position in shares of Sensient Technologies Co. (NYSE:SXT) in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm bought 10,640 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock, valued at approximately $736,000.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Sensient Technologies by 9.4% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 5,325,028 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $311,408,000 after purchasing an additional 457,446 shares in the last quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. lifted its stake in shares of Sensient Technologies by 7.1% in the fourth quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 19,546 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $1,290,000 after acquiring an additional 1,302 shares during the period. Cerity Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Sensient Technologies during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $253,000. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System bought a new stake in Sensient Technologies during the fourth quarter valued at $1,393,000. Finally, Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank grew its holdings in Sensient Technologies by 13.6% during the 4th quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 10,592 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $699,000 after acquiring an additional 1,264 shares during the period. 90.86% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insider Activity at Sensient Technologies

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

Sensient Technologies Stock Performance

Shares of SXT stock traded up $0.78 during trading on Thursday, hitting $81.65. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 8,268 shares, compared to its average volume of 194,739. The business has a fifty day moving average of $76.17 and a 200-day moving average of $70.34. The company has a market cap of $3.46 billion, a PE ratio of 37.61 and a beta of 0.76. Sensient Technologies Co. has a 52 week low of $52.90 and a 52 week high of $82.99. The company has a current ratio of 4.31, a quick ratio of 1.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60.

Sensient Technologies (NYSE:SXT) last released its earnings results on Friday, April 26th. The specialty chemicals company reported $0.79 earnings per share 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%. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Sensient Technologies Co. will post 2.85 earnings per share for the current year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on SXT shares. Robert W. Baird lifted their target price on Sensient Technologies from $70.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday, April 29th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Sensient Technologies from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday.

Sensient Technologies 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.