The Board of Directors of
Sigma-Aldrich Corporation
(
SIAL
) has approved a 7.5% increase in the company's quarterly
dividend to 21.5 cents per share from 20 cents. The revised
dividend is payable on Mar 15, 2013, to shareholders of record as
of Mar 1, 2013.
Separately, Sigma-Aldrich declared that it will make
presentations at a couple of the investor conferences this month.
The company will present at the Leerink Swann Global Healthcare
Conference 2013 on Feb 14 and 2013 Citi Global Healthcare
Conference on Feb 25 in New York City.
St. Louis, MO-based Sigma-Aldrich is a leading life sciences and
high technology company. It develops, manufactures and
distributes various biochemicals and organic chemicals. These
chemical products and kits are used in scientific and genomic
research, biotechnology, pharmaceutical development, diagnosis of
diseases and chemical manufacturing. The company operates in 40
countries and offers 130,000 products.
Few days ago, the company released its fourth-quarter 2012
results. It posted adjusted earnings (excluding items) of 96
cents per share in the quarter, beating the Zacks Consensus
Estimate of 95 cents. Profit, as reported, rose roughly 7% year
over year to $116 million driven by acquisitions and gains across
international markets.
Revenues rose 7% year over year to $655 million in the quarter
but lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $660 million.
Sigma-Aldrich registered healthy growth in its Fine Chemicals
(SAFC) division in the quarter.
The acquisition of BioReliance and expansion initiatives in Asia
Pacific and other high growth markets are expected to add to the
company's growth in 2013. However, its research business is
expected to continue facing economic challenges due to
uncertainties in the U.S. and Europe. Moreover, unfavorable
currency exchange translation may continue to weigh on its
revenues and earnings.
Sigma-Aldrich currently maintains a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Other companies in the specialty chemical space with favorable
Zacks Rank are
American Pacific Corporation
(
APFC
),
Novozymes A/S
(
NVZMY
) and
Penford Corporation
(
PENX
). All of them hold a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
AMER PAC CORP (APFC): Free Stock Analysis
Report
NOVOZYMES A/S (NVZMY): Get Free Report
PENFORD CORP (PENX): Free Stock Analysis
Report
SIGMA ALDRICH (SIAL): Free Stock Analysis
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