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

October 19, 2012

(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 of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer 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 October 19, 2012, Sensient Technologies Corporation issued a press release disclosing its results of operations for its quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2012, 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 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012.

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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: October 19, 2012

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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 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012.

EX-99.1

EXHIBIT 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:	Dick Hobbs
	(414) 347-3706

Sensient Technologies Corporation

Reports Results for the Third Quarter Ended September 30, 2012

Company Achieves Third Quarter Record EPS of 66 Cents

Cash Flows from Operations Increase 8.4% to $43.1 Million

MILWAUKEE—October 19, 2012—Sensient Technologies Corporation (NYSE: SXT) reported diluted earnings per share of 66 cents in the quarter, a third quarter record and an increase of 3.1% over the 64 cents earned in last year’s third quarter.  In local currency, third quarter earnings per share increased 7.8% as the impact of foreign currency translation reduced reported earnings by three cents per share.  Foreign currency translation also significantly reduced revenue and operating income in the quarter.  Revenue was $369.4 million in the third quarter compared to $363.8 million in last year’s third quarter.  Operating income increased to $50.7 million from the $49.9 million reported in the comparable period last year.  In local currency, both revenue and operating income increased by more than 5% in the quarter.

Diluted earnings per share were $1.94 for the first nine months of 2012, an increase of 5.4% over the $1.84 reported in last year’s first nine months.  Foreign currency translation reduced year to date earnings by seven cents per share.  In local currency, revenue increased 4.5% and diluted earnings per share increased 9.2% in the first nine months of this year.

Cash flows from operations increased to $43.1 million in the third quarter, up 8.4% from the $39.7 million generated in last year’s third quarter.  Debt was reduced by over $13 million in the third quarter.

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Sensient Technologies Corporation	Page 2
Earnings Release – Third Quarter Ended September 30, 2012
October 19, 2012

“Sensient delivered another strong performance in the third quarter despite the difficult economic conditions,” said Kenneth P. Manning, Chairman and CEO of Sensient Technologies Corporation.  “We continue to see opportunities for growth in all of our Groups and I remain very optimistic about the Company’s future.”

BUSINESS REVIEW

The Color Group reported revenue of $120.7 million in the third quarter, compared to $121.0 million reported in the comparable period last year.  Operating income increased 2.5% to a third quarter record of $23.5 million, from $22.9 million in last year’s third quarter.  In local currency, revenue and operating income increased 5.0% and 7.9%, respectively.  The Color Group’s focus on higher value products resulted in stronger operating margins.  The operating margin in the quarter increased to 19.4%, up from 18.9% reported in last year’s third quarter.

The Flavors & Fragrances Group reported third quarter revenue of $224.7 million compared to $220.3 million in last year’s third quarter.  Operating income was $31.8 million in the quarter compared to $33.1 million in the third quarter of 2011.  Foreign currency translation reduced revenue by 3.4% and operating income by 1.4% in the quarter.  Third quarter results were affected by customer inventory destocking and higher raw material costs.

The Corporate & Other segment, which includes the Company’s operations in Asia Pacific and China, and the flavor businesses in Central and South America, reported revenue of $40.8 million in the quarter, an increase of 8.4% over the $37.6 million reported in last year’s third quarter.

2012 OUTLOOK

Sensient has narrowed its guidance for 2012 diluted earnings per share, which is now expected to be between $2.51 and $2.56.

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Sensient Technologies Corporation	Page 3
Earnings Release – Third Quarter Ended September 30, 2012
October 19, 2012

CONFERENCE CALL

The company will host a conference call to discuss its 2012 third quarter financial results at 10:00 a.m. CDT on Friday, October 19, 2012.  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. CDT on October 19, 2012, through midnight on October 26, 2012, by calling (404) 537-3406 and referring to conference identification number 36872451.  A transcript of the call will also be posted on the company’s web site at www.sensient.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, 2011, and quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2012. 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.

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 and fine chemicals.  The Company’s customers include major international manufacturers representing most of the world’s best-known brands.  Sensient is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

www.sensient.com

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Sensient Technologies Corporation	Page 4
(In thousands, except percentages and per share amounts)

Consolidated Statements of Earnings	Three Months Ended September 30,							Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2012		2011		% Change			2012		2011		% Change
Revenue	$	369,371	$	363,751		1.5	%	$	1,102,808	$	1,090,431		1.1	%
Cost of products sold		251,778		249,086		1.1	%		749,928		748,916		0.1	%
Selling and administrative expenses		66,892		64,722		3.4	%		201,392		193,642		4.0	%
Operating income		50,701		49,943		1.5	%		151,488		147,873		2.4	%
Interest expense		4,483		4,934					13,236		14,919
Earnings before income taxes		46,218		45,009		2.7	%		138,252		132,954		4.0	%
Income taxes		13,342		13,012					41,565		41,056
Net earnings	$	32,876	$	31,997		2.7	%	$	96,687	$	91,898		5.2	%
Earnings per common share:
Basic	$	0.66	$	0.64		3.1	%	$	1.95	$	1.85		5.4	%
Diluted	$	0.66	$	0.64		3.1	%	$	1.94	$	1.84		5.4	%
Average common shares outstanding:
Basic		49,536		49,776		-0.5	%		49,616		49,723		-0.2	%
Diluted		49,785		49,967		-0.4	%		49,850		49,911		-0.1	%

Results by Segment	Three Months Ended September 30,									Nine Months Ended September 30,
Revenue	2012			2011			% Change			2012			2011			% Change
Flavors & Fragrances	$	224,699		$	220,266			2.0	%	$	658,348		$	652,063			1.0	%
Color		120,660			120,975			-0.3	%		379,851			379,038			0.2	%
Corporate & Other*		40,790			37,643			8.4	%		116,443			108,515			7.3	%
Intersegment elimination		(16,778	)		(15,133	)		10.9	%		(51,834	)		(49,185	)		5.4	%
Consolidated	$	369,371		$	363,751			1.5	%	$	1,102,808		$	1,090,431			1.1	%
Operating Income
Flavors & Fragrances	$	31,810		$	33,149			-4.0	%	$	94,334		$	97,634			-3.4	%
Color		23,459			22,891			2.5	%		74,930			69,886			7.2	%
Corporate & Other*		(4,568	)		(6,097	)		-25.1	%		(17,776	)		(19,647	)		-9.5	%
Consolidated	$	50,701		$	49,943			1.5	%	$	151,488		$	147,873			2.4	%

* Beginning in the first quarter of 2012, the results of operations for the Company's flavors business in Central and South America, previously reported in the Flavors & Fragrances Group, are reported in the Corporate & Other segment.  Results for 2011 have been restated to reflect this change.

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Sensient Technologies Corporation	Page 5
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets
September 30,	2012		2011
Current assets	$	750,358	$	697,625
Goodwill and intangibles (net)		458,370		455,360
Property, plant and equipment (net)		488,707		437,998
Other assets		39,405		40,442
Total Assets	$	1,736,840	$	1,631,425
Current liabilities	$	208,511	$	212,967
Long-term debt		328,837		301,064
Accrued employee and retiree benefits		56,420		57,740
Other liabilities		31,085		26,758
Shareholders' equity		1,111,987		1,032,896
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	$	1,736,840	$	1,631,425

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Three Months Ended September 30,	2012			2011
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	43,093		$	39,737
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment		(19,753	)		(20,367	)
Other investing activity		(36	)		(51	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(19,789	)		(20,418	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from additional borrowings		8,060			6,001
Debt payments		(22,777	)		(6,291	)
Dividends paid		(10,941	)		(10,450	)
Proceeds from options exercised and other		526			252
Net cash used in financing activities		(25,132	)		(10,488	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		2,113			(9,644	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		285			(813	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		12,055			14,297
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	12,340		$	13,484

Supplemental Information
Three Months Ended September 30,	2012		2011
Depreciation and amortization	$	12,051	$	11,509
Dividends per share	$	0.22	$	0.21