Balchem Co. (NASDAQ:BCPC) Short Interest Up 12.8% in December

Balchem Co. (NASDAQ:BCPC) was the target of a large increase in short interest in December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 492,400 shares, an increase of 12.8% from the November 30th total of 436,600 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 125,700 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.9 days. Currently, 1.5% of the company’s stock are short sold.

Balchem Stock Down 0.7 %

NASDAQ:BCPC traded down $1.18 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $162.79. 45,024 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 111,840. The company has a current ratio of 2.98, a quick ratio of 1.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $174.33 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $170.40. Balchem has a 1 year low of $135.84 and a 1 year high of $186.03. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.29 billion, a P/E ratio of 43.76, a P/E/G ratio of 5.32 and a beta of 0.67.

Balchem Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared an annual dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 17th. Investors of record on Thursday, December 26th will be paid a $0.87 dividend. This is a boost from Balchem’s previous annual dividend of $0.79. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 26th. This represents a yield of 0.4%. Balchem’s payout ratio is presently 23.39%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have recently commented on BCPC. HC Wainwright raised their target price on Balchem from $185.00 to $190.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, November 4th. StockNews.com raised Balchem from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, October 28th.

Institutional Trading of Balchem

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of BCPC. Westside Investment Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Balchem during the third quarter valued at approximately $27,000. nVerses Capital LLC bought a new position in Balchem in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB purchased a new stake in Balchem during the 3rd quarter valued at $35,000. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its holdings in shares of Balchem by 73.4% in the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 841 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $148,000 after purchasing an additional 356 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Balchem by 642.5% during the third quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 839 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $148,000 after purchasing an additional 726 shares in the last quarter. 87.91% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Balchem

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.