International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (NYSE:IFF) Receives Average Rating of “Moderate Buy” from Brokerages

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (NYSE:IFF) has been assigned a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the eighteen ratings firms that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and thirteen have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12 month target price among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $91.1647.

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on IFF. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on shares of International Flavors & Fragrances from $97.00 to $105.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 7th. Barclays raised their price objective on International Flavors & Fragrances from $80.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, May 7th. Oppenheimer lifted their target price on International Flavors & Fragrances from $88.00 to $90.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, May 7th. Benchmark initiated coverage on International Flavors & Fragrances in a report on Tuesday, June 9th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $100.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Rothschild & Co Redburn decreased their price objective on International Flavors & Fragrances from $74.00 to $71.00 in a research note on Friday, May 8th.

Insider Buying and Selling at International Flavors & Fragrances

In other news, Director Paul J. Fribourg acquired 260,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 1st. The shares were purchased at an average price of $74.28 per share, with a total value of $19,312,800.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 2,682,730 shares in the company, valued at approximately $199,273,184.40. This represents a 10.73% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 1.07% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On International Flavors & Fragrances

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. DNB Asset Management AS boosted its stake in International Flavors & Fragrances by 0.3% in the 4th quarter. DNB Asset Management AS now owns 53,741 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $3,622,000 after purchasing an additional 139 shares in the last quarter. MML Investors Services LLC raised its holdings in shares of International Flavors & Fragrances by 0.8% in the fourth quarter. MML Investors Services LLC now owns 17,249 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $1,162,000 after buying an additional 140 shares during the last quarter. State of Michigan Retirement System raised its holdings in shares of International Flavors & Fragrances by 0.3% in the fourth quarter. State of Michigan Retirement System now owns 69,515 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $4,685,000 after buying an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. Manning & Napier Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of International Flavors & Fragrances by 0.5% during the fourth quarter. Manning & Napier Advisors LLC now owns 42,033 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $2,855,000 after buying an additional 203 shares during the period. Finally, Geneos Wealth Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of International Flavors & Fragrances by 55.7% during the first quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 587 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock valued at $46,000 after buying an additional 210 shares during the last quarter. 96.02% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

International Flavors & Fragrances Stock Up 3.1%

IFF opened at $77.62 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $19.82 billion, a PE ratio of 23.74, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.75 and a beta of 0.93. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $76.68 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $74.30. The company has a quick ratio of 0.87, a current ratio of 1.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33. International Flavors & Fragrances has a 52 week low of $59.14 and a 52 week high of $84.45.

International Flavors & Fragrances (NYSE:IFF) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 5th. The specialty chemicals company reported $1.25 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.08 by $0.17. International Flavors & Fragrances had a net margin of 7.78% and a return on equity of 7.65%. The company had revenue of $2.74 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.64 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.20 earnings per share. International Flavors & Fragrances’s quarterly revenue was down 3.6% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts forecast that International Flavors & Fragrances will post 4.55 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

International Flavors & Fragrances Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 10th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 18th were given a dividend of $0.40 per share. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 18th. International Flavors & Fragrances’s dividend payout ratio is presently 48.93%.

About International Flavors & Fragrances

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc (NYSE:IFF) is a global leader in the creation and production of flavors, fragrances, cosmetic actives and nutritional lipids. The company develops taste and scent solutions for a wide array of end markets including food and beverage, personal care, household goods and pharmaceutical products. Its portfolio spans natural and nature-identical flavors, fine fragrances, functional ingredients for skin and hair care, and specialty oils that enhance nutritional value and sensory appeal.

IFF’s research and development network comprises innovation centers in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Latin America, where multidisciplinary teams collaborate on aroma chemistry, sensory science and biotechnology.