Hexcel (NYSE:HXL) PT Lowered to $73.00 at UBS Group

Hexcel (NYSE:HXL) had its target price lowered by UBS Group from $77.00 to $73.00 in a research note published on Wednesday morning, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a neutral rating on the aerospace company’s stock.

A number of other brokerages also recently commented on HXL. Morgan Stanley downgraded Hexcel from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating and decreased their price target for the company from $70.00 to $66.00 in a research report on Thursday, February 22nd. Bank of America reaffirmed an underperform rating and set a $65.00 price target (down from $75.00) on shares of Hexcel in a research report on Wednesday, April 10th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on Hexcel from $78.00 to $81.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 21st. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price target on Hexcel from $69.00 to $78.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 16th. Finally, Barclays decreased their price target on Hexcel from $80.00 to $75.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, January 30th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $76.57.

Hexcel Stock Performance

Shares of Hexcel stock opened at $63.25 on Wednesday. The company has a market cap of $5.26 billion, a PE ratio of 54.06, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.32 and a beta of 1.23. Hexcel has a 52 week low of $58.81 and a 52 week high of $79.08. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $70.81 and a 200-day moving average price of $69.48. The company has a quick ratio of 1.68, a current ratio of 2.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44.

Hexcel (NYSE:HXL) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, April 22nd. The aerospace company reported $0.44 EPS for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.44. The firm had revenue of $472.30 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $468.93 million. Hexcel had a return on equity of 8.97% and a net margin of 5.52%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.50 earnings per share. Equities analysts anticipate that Hexcel will post 2.22 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hexcel Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 10th. Investors of record on Friday, May 3rd will be paid a dividend of $0.15 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 2nd. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.95%. Hexcel’s payout ratio is 51.28%.

Insider Activity at Hexcel

In related news, insider Thierry Merlot sold 4,500 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Friday, February 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $71.63, for a total transaction of $322,335.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 50,371 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,608,074.73. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, insider Gina Fitzsimons sold 864 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.10, for a total transaction of $62,294.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 3,375 shares in the company, valued at $243,337.50. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, insider Thierry Merlot sold 4,500 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $71.63, for a total value of $322,335.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 50,371 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $3,608,074.73. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.39% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Hexcel

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Simplicity Wealth LLC purchased a new position in shares of Hexcel in the 1st quarter worth about $212,000. Global Retirement Partners LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Hexcel by 21.1% in the 1st quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 1,669 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $122,000 after purchasing an additional 291 shares in the last quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System boosted its holdings in shares of Hexcel by 3.0% in the 1st quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 24,300 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $1,770,000 after purchasing an additional 700 shares in the last quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp boosted its holdings in shares of Hexcel by 8.0% in the 1st quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 52,259 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $3,807,000 after purchasing an additional 3,885 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Leeward Investments LLC MA boosted its holdings in shares of Hexcel by 0.3% in the 1st quarter. Leeward Investments LLC MA now owns 342,684 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $24,964,000 after purchasing an additional 889 shares in the last quarter. 95.47% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Hexcel Company Profile

Hexcel Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets carbon fibers, structural reinforcements, honeycomb structures, resins, and composite materials and parts for use in commercial aerospace, space and defense, and industrial applications. It operates through two segments, Composite Materials and Engineered Products.