Sensient Technologies Corporation (NYSE:SXT) Short Interest Up 14.7% in February

Sensient Technologies Corporation (NYSE:SXT) was the target of a significant increase in short interest in February. As of February 27th, there was short interest totaling 1,233,008 shares, an increase of 14.7% from the February 12th total of 1,074,858 shares. Approximately 2.9% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 365,786 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 3.4 days. Based on an average daily volume of 365,786 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 3.4 days. Approximately 2.9% of the shares of the stock are short sold.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Sensient Technologies

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. MML Investors Services LLC increased its position in shares of Sensient Technologies by 3.9% during the fourth quarter. MML Investors Services LLC now owns 3,146 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $296,000 after purchasing an additional 119 shares in the last quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund increased its position in shares of Sensient Technologies by 1.4% in the 4th quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund now owns 9,675 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock valued at $909,000 after purchasing an additional 130 shares during the last quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. raised its holdings in Sensient Technologies by 53.1% during the fourth quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 401 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 139 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its holdings in shares of Sensient Technologies by 19.3% during the third quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 878 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $82,000 after purchasing an additional 142 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Nisa Investment Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Sensient Technologies by 15.9% during the third quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 1,042 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $98,000 after purchasing an additional 143 shares during the last quarter. 90.86% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Sensient Technologies Trading Up 0.2%

Shares of NYSE:SXT traded up $0.17 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $88.58. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 67,192 shares, compared to its average volume of 292,495. Sensient Technologies has a 12 month low of $67.79 and a 12 month high of $121.54. The company has a current ratio of 4.10, a quick ratio of 1.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.59. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.77 billion, a PE ratio of 28.03 and a beta of 0.55. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $95.26 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $96.40.

Sensient Technologies (NYSE:SXT) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 13th. The specialty chemicals company reported $0.72 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.78 by ($0.06). Sensient Technologies had a net margin of 8.34% and a return on equity of 12.82%. The business had revenue of $393.45 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $395.70 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.70 EPS. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 4.5% on a year-over-year basis. Sensient Technologies has set its FY 2026 guidance at 3.600-3.800 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that Sensient Technologies will post 3.1 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Sensient Technologies Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 2nd. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 3rd were paid a $0.41 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 3rd. This represents a $1.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.9%. Sensient Technologies’s dividend payout ratio is presently 51.90%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

SXT has been the subject of several analyst reports. Zacks Research lowered shares of Sensient Technologies from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 17th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of Sensient Technologies in a report on Monday, December 29th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $110.00.

Sensient Technologies Company Profile

Sensient Technologies Corporation is a global leader in the manufacture and supply of colors, flavors and fragrances for a broad range of end-markets. The company develops and produces ingredients that enhance the appearance, taste and scent of products in the food, beverage, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, personal care and household sectors. Its portfolio includes natural and synthetic colorants, botanical and artificial flavor systems, fragrance compounds and specialty chemical offerings tailored to customer specifications.

Within its flavor and fragrance division, Sensient provides custom formulations for sweet, savory and umami taste profiles along with fragrance blends for personal care and cosmetic applications.