Zacks Research Issues Optimistic Estimate for WST Earnings

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE:WST) – Research analysts at Zacks Research lifted their Q4 2027 earnings estimates for West Pharmaceutical Services in a note issued to investors on Thursday, January 22nd. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the medical instruments supplier will post earnings per share of $2.26 for the quarter, up from their previous estimate of $2.20. Zacks Research has a “Strong-Buy” rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for West Pharmaceutical Services’ current full-year earnings is $6.62 per share.

West Pharmaceutical Services (NYSE:WST) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The medical instruments supplier reported $1.96 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.67 by $0.29. West Pharmaceutical Services had a net margin of 16.29% and a return on equity of 18.16%. The business had revenue of $804.60 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $788.42 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.85 EPS. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 7.7% compared to the same quarter last year.

A number of other equities research analysts also recently commented on the company. Barclays increased their price target on West Pharmaceutical Services from $275.00 to $325.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on West Pharmaceutical Services in a report on Monday, December 1st. They set an “equal weight” rating and a $285.00 price objective on the stock. Wall Street Zen raised shares of West Pharmaceutical Services from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday, December 20th. KeyCorp boosted their price target on shares of West Pharmaceutical Services from $325.00 to $350.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, October 24th. Finally, TD Cowen started coverage on shares of West Pharmaceutical Services in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. They set a “buy” rating on the stock. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have given a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $335.78.

West Pharmaceutical Services Trading Down 4.4%

Shares of West Pharmaceutical Services stock opened at $236.78 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $17.03 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.08, a PEG ratio of 3.26 and a beta of 1.17. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $270.73 and a 200-day moving average price of $261.11. The company has a quick ratio of 2.18, a current ratio of 2.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07. West Pharmaceutical Services has a twelve month low of $187.43 and a twelve month high of $348.90.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. boosted its stake in West Pharmaceutical Services by 16.7% in the third quarter. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. now owns 69,775 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $18,304,000 after acquiring an additional 10,009 shares in the last quarter. Amundi increased its position in shares of West Pharmaceutical Services by 83.4% during the second quarter. Amundi now owns 502,831 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $111,236,000 after purchasing an additional 228,696 shares in the last quarter. Caxton Associates LLP purchased a new stake in shares of West Pharmaceutical Services during the 2nd quarter valued at $1,610,000. North Growth Management Ltd. grew its stake in West Pharmaceutical Services by 17.2% during the 3rd quarter. North Growth Management Ltd. now owns 34,000 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $8,930,000 after buying an additional 5,000 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Birch Hill Investment Advisors LLC grew its stake in West Pharmaceutical Services by 87.4% during the 3rd quarter. Birch Hill Investment Advisors LLC now owns 136,470 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $35,800,000 after buying an additional 63,638 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 93.90% of the company’s stock.

West Pharmaceutical Services Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, February 4th. Investors of record on Wednesday, January 28th will be issued a dividend of $0.22 per share. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.4%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, January 28th. West Pharmaceutical Services’s dividend payout ratio is presently 13.04%.

West Pharmaceutical Services News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting West Pharmaceutical Services this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Citi initiated coverage with a Buy, providing an independent institutional endorsement that can support demand for the shares and reinforce confidence in West’s strategic positioning. West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) Gets a Buy from Citi
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research upgraded WST to a Strong-Buy (Zacks Rank #1) and raised earnings estimates across multiple quarters and fiscal years, signaling improved analyst expectations for revenue/profitability and providing a near-term catalyst for buy-side interest. All You Need to Know About West Pharmaceutical (WST) Rating Upgrade to Strong Buy
• Positive Sentiment: Product launch: West unveiled the Synchrony S1 prefillable syringe at Pharmapack 2026 — a move that targets biologics, vaccines and home-care use and could expand its addressable market in combination products and drug-delivery systems. WST Launches Synchrony S1 Prefillable Syringe at Pharmapack
• Neutral Sentiment: Analysis piece discusses West’s expansion into biologic syringe systems and whether that reshapes its combination‑product competitive edge — useful context for investors assessing long‑term growth but not an immediate earnings surprise. Does West Pharmaceutical (WST) Expanding Into Biologic Syringe Systems Reshape Its Combination-Product Edge?
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks included WST on thematic lists (top medical-supply names and income-stock lists) — a visibility boost that may attract income and thematic investors but is less of an immediate price catalyst than upgrades or product news. 4 Medical Supply Stocks Poised to Gain

West Pharmaceutical Services Company Profile

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc is a global developer and manufacturer of components, systems and services that enable the containment and delivery of injectable drugs. The company focuses on high-quality packaging and delivery solutions for the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, producing primary drug packaging components and specialized drug delivery devices used for vaccines, biologics and other injectable therapies. West is known for its elastomeric closures, seals and polymer components that maintain sterility and compatibility with sensitive drug formulations.

In addition to component manufacturing, West provides engineered delivery systems and support services across the product lifecycle.