Hexcel (NYSE:HXL) Sets New 12-Month High on Earnings Beat

Hexcel Corporation (NYSE:HXL) shares reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Thursday following a stronger than expected earnings report. The company traded as high as $88.00 and last traded at $83.1040, with a volume of 1283392 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $80.23.

The aerospace company reported $0.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.50 by $0.02. Hexcel had a net margin of 5.78% and a return on equity of 9.08%. The firm had revenue of $491.30 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $484.46 million. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.52 earnings per share. Hexcel’s revenue was up 3.7% on a year-over-year basis. Hexcel has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.100-2.300 EPS.

Hexcel Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, February 17th. Investors of record on Monday, February 9th will be given a dividend of $0.18 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, February 9th. This represents a $0.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.9%. This is an increase from Hexcel’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.17. Hexcel’s payout ratio is presently 80.00%.

Trending Headlines about Hexcel

Here are the key news stories impacting Hexcel this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q4 beat on revenue and EPS — Hexcel reported Q4 revenue of ~$491.3M (up ~3.7% YoY) and EPS that topped consensus, with management highlighting stronger commercial aerospace demand. This outperformance and upbeat commentary fueled investor optimism. Article Title
• Positive Sentiment: Dividend increase — The board raised the quarterly cash dividend to $0.18/sh (a ~5.9% increase), which supports the yield and signals confidence in the business. Article Title
• Positive Sentiment: Margin recovery and operating profit improvement — Management and third‑party reports noted meaningful recovery in operating profit and gross margins versus the prior year, which supports future earnings leverage if aerospace demand continues. Article Title
• Neutral Sentiment: FY2026 guidance is mixed — Hexcel set FY2026 EPS guidance of $2.10–$2.30 and revenue of $2.0B–$2.1B; the midpoint is close to but slightly below some consensus estimates, producing a mixed reaction from investors. Article Title
• Neutral Sentiment: Technical and valuation context — HXL is trading above its 50- and 200-day moving averages and has a high P/E (~99), reflecting elevated expectations; this can amplify moves on news. Article Title
• Negative Sentiment: Cash flow and balance-sheet signals — Quarterly disclosures and summaries show operating cash flow and cash balances declined year‑over‑year and total liabilities increased, which raises questions about near-term liquidity and cash conversion. Article Title
• Negative Sentiment: Recent insider selling — Public filings noted insider sales in the period around the results, which some investors view as a mild negative signal. Article Title

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on HXL shares. Truist Financial boosted their price target on shares of Hexcel from $75.00 to $83.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, October 24th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a “hold” rating and issued a $65.00 price objective on shares of Hexcel in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Citigroup restated a “reduce” rating on shares of Hexcel in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on Hexcel from $67.00 to $75.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 20th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Hexcel in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Hexcel has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $74.40.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Hexcel

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Trust Co. of Toledo NA OH bought a new position in Hexcel during the 2nd quarter valued at $26,000. NewSquare Capital LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Hexcel by 379.0% in the second quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 479 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 379 shares during the period. Park Place Capital Corp boosted its stake in Hexcel by 65.1% during the second quarter. Park Place Capital Corp now owns 497 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 196 shares in the last quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. acquired a new position in Hexcel during the second quarter worth about $28,000. Finally, Parkside Financial Bank & Trust raised its position in Hexcel by 325.0% in the second quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 493 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 377 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 95.47% of the company’s stock.

Hexcel Stock Up 5.2%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48, a quick ratio of 1.50 and a current ratio of 2.75. The company has a market capitalization of $6.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 61.17, a P/E/G ratio of 2.10 and a beta of 1.08. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $77.58 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $68.81.

About Hexcel

Hexcel Corporation is a global leader in advanced composite materials for aerospace and industrial applications. The company specializes in the development and manufacture of lightweight, high-performance products that enhance fuel efficiency, durability and structural strength. Its offerings are critical to the aerospace sector, where demand for lighter, more efficient aircraft drives continuous innovation in materials.

Hexcel’s product portfolio encompasses carbon fiber reinforcements, pre-impregnated composites (prepregs), honeycomb core, engineered adhesives and structural film adhesives.