Stepan (NYSE:SCL) Upgraded at StockNews.com

Stepan (NYSE:SCL) was upgraded by investment analysts at StockNews.com from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday.

Stepan Price Performance

Shares of SCL opened at $82.91 on Wednesday. The business’s 50-day moving average is $85.41 and its 200-day moving average is $88.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 1.38 and a quick ratio of 0.97. The company has a market capitalization of $1.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 49.95 and a beta of 0.83. Stepan has a fifty-two week low of $63.60 and a fifty-two week high of $96.96.

Stepan (NYSE:SCL) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, April 30th. The basic materials company reported $0.64 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.35 by $0.29. Stepan had a net margin of 1.71% and a return on equity of 4.04%. The company had revenue of $551.40 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $575.83 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.71 EPS. The company’s revenue was down 15.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts expect that Stepan will post 2.8 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Stepan

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Fifth Third Bancorp lifted its stake in Stepan by 2,141.7% in the fourth quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 269 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 257 shares during the last quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC bought a new stake in Stepan in the first quarter worth $36,000. Copeland Capital Management LLC increased its position in Stepan by 277.5% during the fourth quarter. Copeland Capital Management LLC now owns 453 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $43,000 after buying an additional 333 shares during the last quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC acquired a new position in Stepan during the fourth quarter worth $48,000. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. bought a new position in Stepan during the fourth quarter valued at about $55,000. Institutional investors own 82.70% of the company’s stock.

Stepan Company Profile

Stepan Company, together with its subsidiaries, produces and sells specialty and intermediate chemicals to other manufacturers for use in various end products worldwide. It operates through three segments: Surfactants, Polymers, and Specialty Products. The Surfactants segment offers surfactants that are used in consumer and industrial cleaning and disinfection products, including detergents for washing clothes, dishes, carpets, and floors and walls, as well as shampoos and body washes; and other applications, such as fabric softeners, germicidal quaternary compounds, disinfectants, and lubricating ingredients.