Kentucky Retirement Systems Lowers Holdings in International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (NYSE:IFF)

Kentucky Retirement Systems lessened its holdings in International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (NYSE:IFF) by 0.7% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 19,242 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock after selling 145 shares during the period. Kentucky Retirement Systems’ holdings in International Flavors & Fragrances were worth $1,832,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the business. Riverview Trust Co purchased a new stake in shares of International Flavors & Fragrances in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Quent Capital LLC boosted its position in shares of International Flavors & Fragrances by 183.2% during the first quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 371 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 240 shares during the period. Family Firm Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of International Flavors & Fragrances in the 2nd quarter valued at $38,000. Principal Securities Inc. acquired a new position in International Flavors & Fragrances during the 4th quarter worth about $43,000. Finally, Fidelis Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in International Flavors & Fragrances in the 1st quarter valued at about $44,000. 96.02% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have commented on IFF shares. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on shares of International Flavors & Fragrances from $100.00 to $103.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 3rd. Citigroup boosted their target price on International Flavors & Fragrances from $108.00 to $116.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, July 12th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on International Flavors & Fragrances from $110.00 to $115.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, August 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on International Flavors & Fragrances from $102.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, September 6th. Finally, UBS Group reduced their target price on shares of International Flavors & Fragrances from $107.00 to $103.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, August 15th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $103.87.

International Flavors & Fragrances Stock Down 0.6 %

IFF stock opened at $102.23 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $26.10 billion, a PE ratio of -10.46, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.85 and a beta of 1.22. The company has a fifty day moving average of $99.73 and a 200-day moving average of $93.42. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60, a quick ratio of 1.75 and a current ratio of 2.38. International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. has a one year low of $62.28 and a one year high of $105.30.

International Flavors & Fragrances (NYSE:IFF) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 6th. The specialty chemicals company reported $1.16 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.01 by $0.15. The firm had revenue of $2.89 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.83 billion. International Flavors & Fragrances had a negative net margin of 20.82% and a positive return on equity of 6.63%. The firm’s revenue was down 1.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.86 earnings per share. As a group, analysts expect that International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. will post 4.23 EPS for the current year.

International Flavors & Fragrances Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 9th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 20th will be given a $0.40 dividend. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.57%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 20th. International Flavors & Fragrances’s payout ratio is -16.38%.

About International Flavors & Fragrances

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells cosmetic active and natural health ingredients for use in various consumer products in the United States, Europe, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Nourish, Health & Biosciences, Scent, and Pharma Solutions.