Balchem (NASDAQ:BCPC) Downgraded to “Hold” Rating by StockNews.com

Balchem (NASDAQ:BCPC) was downgraded by analysts at StockNews.com from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Tuesday.

Separately, HC Wainwright reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $190.00 target price on shares of Balchem in a research report on Monday.

Balchem Stock Down 0.5 %

BCPC stock opened at $172.69 on Tuesday. Balchem has a one year low of $137.69 and a one year high of $186.03. The firm has a market cap of $5.61 billion, a PE ratio of 43.94, a PEG ratio of 4.41 and a beta of 0.69. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $162.13 and its 200-day moving average price is $169.46. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19, a quick ratio of 1.16 and a current ratio of 1.99.

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

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Balchem

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of BCPC. Mackenzie Financial Corp boosted its holdings in Balchem by 2.2% during the 4th quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 3,840 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $626,000 after acquiring an additional 84 shares during the period. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio purchased a new position in shares of Balchem in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $3,246,000. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC boosted its stake in shares of Balchem by 9.7% in the fourth quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 91,742 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $14,953,000 after purchasing an additional 8,091 shares during the period. Voloridge Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Balchem by 41.0% in the fourth quarter. Voloridge Investment Management LLC now owns 26,178 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $4,267,000 after purchasing an additional 7,608 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Vident Advisory LLC increased its stake in Balchem by 6.0% during the 4th quarter. Vident Advisory LLC now owns 1,421 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $232,000 after buying an additional 80 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.91% of the company’s stock.

Balchem Company 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.