Balchem (BCPC) vs Sensient Technologies (SXT)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Sensient Technologies (SXT) has outperformed Balchem (BCPC) over the past year, gaining 42.9% versus a gain of 17.9%. Over five years, SXT leads with a +37.2% price change compared with +10.2% for BCPC. Sensient Technologies is the larger company by market cap ($5.62 billion vs $5.30 billion), about 1.1 times the size, while Balchem is growing revenue faster (+8.8% vs +3.5%).
On valuation, Sensient Technologies trades at a lower forward P/E (26.4x vs 26.5x for Balchem). Sensient Technologies offers the higher dividend yield (1.24% vs 0.58%). Balchem converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 14.9% versus 8.3%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | BCPC | SXT |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $166.41 | $132.00 |
| Market cap | $5.30B | $5.62B |
| 1-day change | +0.68% | -0.68% |
| YTD return | +8.51% | +40.50% |
| 1-year return | +17.87% | +42.95% |
| 5-year return | +10.23% | +37.20% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 32.76 | 35.87 |
| Forward P/E | 26.53 | 26.43 |
| EPS (TTM) | $5.08 | $3.68 |
| Dividend yield | 0.58% | 1.24% |
| Annual dividend | $0.96 | $1.64 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.04B | $1.61B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +8.75% | +3.52% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $154.84M | $134.49M |
| Gross margin | 35.74% | 33.45% |
| Operating margin | 20.18% | 12.85% |
| Net margin | 14.93% | 8.34% |
| 52-week high | $183.90 | $138.82 |
| 52-week low | $139.17 | $82.60 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -9.51% | -4.91% |
| Analyst consensus | none | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +25.74% | +9.39% |
| Average volume | 198.23K | 426.57K |
| Shares outstanding | 31.88M | 42.56M |
| Employees | 1,379 | 4,070 |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Major Chemicals | Major Chemicals |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- SXT has outperformed BCPC by 25.1 percentage points over the past year.
- Balchem is more profitable, keeping 14.9 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 8.3 cents for Sensient Technologies.
- Balchem grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+8.75% vs +3.52%).
About Balchem
BCPC stock →Balchem Corporation develops, manufactures, and distributes 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.
Industrials · Major Chemicals · 1,379 employees
About Sensient Technologies
SXT stock →Sensient Technologies Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and markets colors, flavors, and other specialty ingredients worldwide. It operates in three segments: Flavors & Extracts, Color, and Asia Pacific.
Industrials · Major Chemicals · 4,070 employees
BCPC vs SXT FAQ
Which is bigger, Balchem or Sensient Technologies?
Sensient Technologies (SXT) is larger, with a market capitalization of $5.62B compared with $5.30B for Balchem (BCPC).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, BCPC or SXT?
SXT returned +42.95% over the past 12 months, compared with +17.87% for BCPC (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, BCPC or SXT?
BCPC has the lower trailing P/E at 32.8, versus 35.9 for SXT. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Balchem or Sensient Technologies?
Sensient Technologies has the higher yield at 1.24%, compared with 0.58% for Balchem.
Are Balchem and Sensient Technologies in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Major Chemicals industry within the Industrials sector.