8-K

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

February 5, 2009
(Date of Report/Date of earliest event reported)

SENSIENT TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

WISCONSIN	1-7626	39-0561070
(State or other jurisdiction	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer
of incorporation)		Identification No.)

777 East Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202-5304
(Address and zip code of principal executive offices)

(414) 271-6755
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

N/A
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

ITEM 2.02 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION.

On February 5, 2009, Sensient Technologies Corporation issued a press release disclosing its results of operations for its quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 and its financial condition at that date. The press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Report on Form 8-K.

ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

Exhibit 99.1: The following exhibit is furnished with this Report on Form 8-K: Sensient Technologies Corporation Earnings Press Release for the Quarter and Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2008.

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SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

SENSIENT TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
(Registrant)
By:	/s/ John L. Hammond
Name:	John L. Hammond
Title:	Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Date: February 5, 2009

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit 99.1: The following exhibit is furnished with this Report on Form 8-K: Sensient Technologies Corporation Earnings Press Release for the Quarter and Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2008.

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Dick Hobbs
(414) 347-3836

Sensient Technologies Corporation
Reports Earnings for the Quarter and Year Ended December 31, 2008

Revenue, Operating Income and Earnings Reach All-Time Record Levels in 2008

Fourth Quarter 2008 Earnings per Share Increase 10.3%

     MILWAUKEE—February 5, 2009—Sensient Technologies Corporation (NYSE: SXT) reported that revenue, operating income and diluted earnings per share reached all-time record levels in 2008. Diluted earnings per share in 2008 rose 14.5% to $1.89, compared to $1.65 in 2007. Consolidated 2008 revenue rose 5.7% to $1.3 billion, compared to $1.2 billion in 2007. Favorable foreign currency translation added 1.6% to revenue in 2008.

     For the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2008, Sensient’s diluted earnings per share increased 10.3%, to 43 cents, compared to 39 cents in the fourth quarter of 2007. Revenue for the fourth quarter of 2008 was $293.8 million, off 2.4% compared to $300.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2007. On a local currency basis, fourth quarter revenue rose 5.4% in the quarter. Foreign currency translation reduced consolidated fourth quarter revenue by 7.8%.

     Total debt at December 31, 2008, was $479.9 million, a reduction of $27.2 million since the beginning of the year. The Company’s ratio of debt to total capital was 37.0% at December 31, 2008, down from 38.4% at the beginning of the year. Total debt ended the year at 2.3 times EBITDA, compared to 2.6 times EBITDA at the beginning of the year.

     “We have delivered an all-time record year for revenue and earnings. In fact, this quarter marks our twelfth consecutive quarter of strong earnings growth,” said Kenneth P. Manning, Chairman and CEO of Sensient Technologies Corporation. “Each of our businesses contributed to the excellent results in 2008.”

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Sensient Technologies Corporation Page 2

Earnings Release — Year ended December 31, 2008

February 5, 2009

BUSINESS REVIEW

     The Flavors & Fragrances Group reported all-time record revenue and operating income in 2008. Annual revenue for the Group increased 5.4% to $809.6 million, compared to $768.1 million in 2007. Operating income in 2008 was up 7.6% to $123.5 million, compared to $114.7 million in 2007. Sales gains in the U.S., Canada and Europe contributed to this year’s record performance. Higher pricing in 2008 more than offset the impact of increased raw material and energy costs. Operating margins in 2008 improved 40 basis points, to 15.3%.

     For the fourth quarter of 2008, Flavors & Fragrance Group revenue was $193.5 million, off 1.2% compared to fourth quarter 2007 revenue of $195.8 million. Quarterly operating profit of $29.2 million was down 1.8% compared to prior year fourth quarter operating income of $29.7 million. Quarterly revenue and operating income on a local currency basis increased 5.8% and 5.4%, respectively. Unfavorable foreign currency translation reduced reported revenue and operating income for the Flavors & Fragrances Group by approximately 7% in the fourth quarter.

     The Color Group’s revenue for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008, increased 6.2%, to a record level of $402.4 million, compared to 2007 revenues of $379.0 million. Color Group operating income in 2008 rose 7.5% to $71.6 million, compared to operating income of $66.6 million in 2007. Group operating margins in 2008 improved to 17.8%, compared to 17.6% in the prior year. Revenues for the Color Group in 2008 increased in all major markets. Operating profit was up on the higher revenue and improved pricing.

     The Color Group’s fourth quarter revenue of $89.6 million was down 6.6% in comparison to last year’s fourth quarter revenue of $95.9 million. Operating income for the quarter of $16.1 million was off 3.0% from operating income of $16.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2007. Quarterly revenues for the Color Group, as stated in local currencies, were

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Sensient Technologies Corporation Page 3

Earnings Release — Year ended December 31, 2008

February 5, 2009

up 2.4%, with particularly strong U.S. revenue growth in food and beverage colors and pharmaceutical colors. Local currency operating income for the fourth quarter increased 6.2%. Unfavorable foreign currency translation reduced reported revenue and operating income for the Color Group by approximately 9% in the fourth quarter.

2009 OUTLOOK

     Sensient expects 2009 diluted earnings per share to be within a range of $1.90 to $1.95.

CONFERENCE CALL

     The company will host a conference call to discuss its 2008 fourth quarter and full year financial results at 10:00 a.m. CST on Friday, February 6, 2009. To make a reservation for the conference call, please contact InterCall Teleconferencing at (706) 645-6973 and refer to the Sensient Technologies Corporation conference call.

     A replay will be available beginning at 1:00 p.m. CST on February 6, 2009, through midnight on February 13, 2009, by calling (706) 645-9291 and referring to conference identification number 83286585. A transcript of the call will also be posted on the company’s web site at www.sensient-tech.com after the call concludes.

     This release contains forward-looking statements (as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that reflect management’s current assumptions and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry conditions, company performance and financial results. A variety of factors could cause the company’s actual results and experience to differ materially from the anticipated results, including, but not limited to the factors noted in this press release and in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis in our most recently filed annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, and quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2008. The forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as to the date of this release. Sensient Technologies Corporation expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to such statements to reflect any change in its expectations upon which such statements are based.

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Sensient Technologies Corporation Page 4

Earnings Release — Year ended December 31, 2008

February 5, 2009

ABOUT SENSIENT TECHNOLOGIES

     Sensient Technologies Corporation is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of colors, flavors and fragrances. Sensient employs advanced technologies at facilities around the world to develop specialty food and beverage systems, cosmetic and pharmaceutical systems, inkjet and specialty inks and colors, and other specialty chemicals. The company’s customers include major international manufacturers representing some of the world’s best-known brands. Sensient is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

          www.sensient-tech.com

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Sensient Technologies Corporation Page 5

(In thousands, except percentages and per share amounts)

Consolidated Statements of Earnings

	Three Months Ended December 31,							Twelve Months Ended December 31,
	2008		2007		% Change			2008		2007		% Change
Revenue	$	293,805	$	300,889		(2.4	)	$	1,252,620	$	1,184,778		5.7
Cost of products sold		206,199		208,199		(1.0	)		871,754		822,479		6.0
Selling and administrative expenses		51,348		57,652		(10.9	)		219,267		214,929		2.0
Operating income		36,258		35,038		3.5			161,599		147,370		9.7
Interest expense		7,271		8,765					32,306		36,127
Earnings before income taxes		28,987		26,273		10.3			129,293		111,243		16.2
Income taxes		8,365		7,849					38,432		33,457
Net earnings	$	20,622	$	18,424		11.9		$	90,861	$	77,786		16.8
Earnings per common share:
Basic	$	0.43	$	0.39		10.3		$	1.91	$	1.66		15.1
Diluted	$	0.43	$	0.39		10.3		$	1.89	$	1.65		14.5
Average common shares outstanding:
Basic		47,951		47,077		1.9			47,654		46,740		2.0
Diluted		48,228		47,655		1.2			48,131		47,257		1.9

Results by Segment

	Three Months Ended December 31,									Twelve Months Ended December 31,
	2008			2007			% Change			2008			2007			% Change
Revenue
Flavors & Fragrances	$	193,465		$	195,764			(1.2	)	$	809,558		$	768,108			5.4
Color		89,593			95,935			(6.6	)		402,364			379,030			6.2
Corporate & Other*		17,399			16,502			5.4			75,567			67,199			12.5
Intersegment elimination		(6,652	)		(7,312	)		(9.0	)		(34,869	)		(29,559	)		18.0
Consolidated	$	293,805		$	300,889			(2.4	)	$	1,252,620		$	1,184,778			5.7
Operating Income
Flavors & Fragrances	$	29,181		$	29,728			(1.8	)	$	123,485		$	114,738			7.6
Color		16,050			16,543			(3.0	)		71,581			66,565			7.5
Corporate & Other*		(8,973	)		(11,233	)		(20.1	)		(33,467	)		(33,933	)		(1.4	)
Consolidated	$	36,258		$	35,038			3.5		$	161,599		$	147,370			9.7

* Corporate & Other contains the Company’s Asia Pacific and China operations as well as certain unallocated corporate expenses. Prior to the first quarter of 2008, the results of the Company’s business in China were reported as part of the Flavors & Fragrances Group. Results for 2007 have been restated to reflect this change.

Sensient Technologies Corporation Page 6

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets
December 31,

	2008		2007
Current assets	$	627,523	$	610,044
Goodwill and intangibles (net)		454,170		491,400
Property, plant and equipment (net)		402,866		418,334
Other assets		40,878		44,404
Total Assets	$	1,525,437	$	1,564,182
Current liabilities	$	196,271	$	229,273
Long-term debt		445,682		449,621
Accrued employee and retiree benefits		37,616		44,197
Other liabilities		27,272		26,670
Shareholders’ equity		818,596		814,421
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	$	1,525,437	$	1,564,182

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Twelve Months Ended December 31,

	2008			2007
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	86,974		$	105,205
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment		(53,680	)		(41,961	)
Proceeds from sale of assets		2,064			2,291
Other investing activity		1,661			451
Net cash used in investing activities		(49,955	)		(39,219	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from additional borrowings		112,514			136,859
Debt payments		(134,135	)		(181,680	)
Purchase of treasury stock		—			(1,267	)
Dividends paid		(35,597	)		(32,017	)
Proceeds from options exercised and other equity transactions		18,862			16,693
Net cash used in financing activities		(38,356	)		(61,412	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		(687	)		913
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		(2,024	)		5,487
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		10,522			5,035
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	8,498		$	10,522

Supplemental Information
Twelve Months Ended December 31,

	2008		2007
Depreciation and amortization	$	44,445	$	44,312
Dividends per share	$	0.74	$	0.68