Hexcel (NYSE:HXL) Price Target Lowered to $86.00 at Stifel Nicolaus

Hexcel (NYSE:HXL) had its price target reduced by analysts at Stifel Nicolaus from $90.00 to $86.00 in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has a “buy” rating on the aerospace company’s stock. Stifel Nicolaus’ price target would suggest a potential upside of 38.73% from the stock’s previous close.

A number of other equities research analysts have also weighed in on HXL. Barclays lowered their target price on Hexcel from $80.00 to $75.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, January 30th. Morgan Stanley lowered Hexcel from an “equal weight” rating to an “underweight” rating and lowered their price target for the company from $70.00 to $66.00 in a research report on Thursday, February 22nd. StockNews.com downgraded Hexcel from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, February 3rd. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their target price on Hexcel from $69.00 to $78.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday. Finally, BMO Capital Markets upped their target price on Hexcel from $69.00 to $73.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a report on Thursday, February 22nd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Hexcel has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $76.93.

Hexcel Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE HXL traded up $0.19 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $61.99. The company had a trading volume of 687,436 shares, compared to its average volume of 857,396. The company has a market capitalization of $5.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 49.89, a P/E/G ratio of 1.27 and a beta of 1.23. Hexcel has a 1 year low of $58.81 and a 1 year high of $79.08. The company has a current ratio of 2.74, a quick ratio of 1.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $71.97 and its 200-day moving average price is $69.65.

Hexcel (NYSE:HXL) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 25th. The aerospace company reported $0.43 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.49 by ($0.06). Hexcel had a return on equity of 9.31% and a net margin of 5.91%. The firm had revenue of $457.50 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $474.01 million. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.40 EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 6.5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Hexcel will post 2.23 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Gina Fitzsimons sold 864 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.10, for a total transaction of $62,294.40. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 3,375 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $243,337.50. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In other news, insider Thierry Merlot sold 4,500 shares of the 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 transaction, the insider now directly owns 50,371 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,608,074.73. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, insider Gina Fitzsimons sold 864 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.10, for a total value of $62,294.40. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 3,375 shares in the company, valued at $243,337.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 1.85% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Hexcel

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Cetera Trust Company N.A bought a new position in Hexcel in the 4th quarter worth $30,000. Point72 Asset Management L.P. purchased a new stake in Hexcel in the 2nd quarter worth $31,000. Farther Finance Advisors LLC increased its stake in Hexcel by 100.0% in the 2nd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 412 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 206 shares in the last quarter. CENTRAL TRUST Co increased its stake in Hexcel by 68.1% in the 3rd quarter. CENTRAL TRUST Co now owns 442 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 179 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Creative Planning purchased a new stake in Hexcel in the 3rd quarter worth $30,000. 95.47% of the stock is owned by 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.