Entropy Technologies LP Invests $689,000 in Balchem Co. (NASDAQ:BCPC)

Entropy Technologies LP bought a new position in shares of Balchem Co. (NASDAQ:BCPC) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 4,225 shares of the basic materials company’s stock, valued at approximately $689,000.

Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. State Street Corp boosted its position in shares of Balchem by 1.0% during the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 1,234,226 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $217,224,000 after acquiring an additional 12,006 shares in the last quarter. Conestoga Capital Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Balchem by 1.8% during the third quarter. Conestoga Capital Advisors LLC now owns 1,175,569 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $206,900,000 after purchasing an additional 20,360 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in Balchem by 3.1% in the third quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 928,904 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $163,514,000 after purchasing an additional 27,979 shares in the last quarter. Geneva Capital Management LLC increased its stake in Balchem by 1.7% in the third quarter. Geneva Capital Management LLC now owns 779,869 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $137,257,000 after purchasing an additional 12,750 shares during the last quarter. Finally, FMR LLC lifted its position in shares of Balchem by 944.3% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 497,495 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $87,559,000 after buying an additional 449,854 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.91% of the company’s stock.

Balchem Stock Up 0.4 %

BCPC opened at $159.95 on Wednesday. Balchem Co. has a 52 week low of $137.69 and a 52 week high of $186.03. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $164.38 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $169.88. The company has a quick ratio of 1.90, a current ratio of 2.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21. The company has a market cap of $5.20 billion, a PE ratio of 43.00, a P/E/G ratio of 4.42 and a beta of 0.69.

Balchem Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared an annual dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 17th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 26th were paid a dividend of $0.87 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 0.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, December 26th. This is a boost from Balchem’s previous annual dividend of $0.79. Balchem’s dividend payout ratio is 23.39%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have issued reports on the stock. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Balchem from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, October 28th. HC Wainwright increased their price target on shares of Balchem from $185.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, November 4th.

Balchem 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.