Intech Investment Management LLC Purchases 14,647 Shares of Balchem Co. (NASDAQ:BCPC)

Intech Investment Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Balchem Co. (NASDAQ:BCPC) by 170.1% during the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 23,258 shares of the basic materials company’s stock after purchasing an additional 14,647 shares during the quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC’s holdings in Balchem were worth $3,791,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of BCPC. Westside Investment Management Inc. bought a new position in Balchem during the 3rd quarter valued at about $27,000. R Squared Ltd bought a new position in Balchem during the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB bought a new position in Balchem during the 3rd quarter valued at about $35,000. Venturi Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Balchem during the 4th quarter valued at about $95,000. Finally, Smartleaf Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in Balchem by 230.8% during the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 645 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $106,000 after acquiring an additional 450 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 87.91% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

BCPC has been the topic of several recent research reports. HC Wainwright reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $190.00 price objective on shares of Balchem in a research note on Monday, February 24th. StockNews.com cut shares of Balchem from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 25th. Finally, Sidoti upgraded shares of Balchem to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 25th.

Balchem Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:BCPC opened at $165.24 on Thursday. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $164.45 and its 200-day moving average price is $169.59. Balchem Co. has a twelve month low of $137.69 and a twelve month high of $186.03. The company has a quick ratio of 1.16, a current ratio of 1.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.38 billion, a PE ratio of 42.05, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.41 and a beta of 0.63.

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

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.