UBS Group Lowers Hexcel (NYSE:HXL) Price Target to $73.00

Hexcel (NYSE:HXL) had its target price cut by equities research analysts at UBS Group from $77.00 to $73.00 in a report issued on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has a “neutral” rating on the aerospace company’s stock. UBS Group’s target price indicates a potential upside of 13.72% from the company’s previous close.

Several other research analysts have also issued reports on HXL. StockNews.com lowered shares of Hexcel from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, February 3rd. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price target on shares of Hexcel from $90.00 to $86.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 17th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on shares of Hexcel from $78.00 to $81.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 21st. Morgan Stanley cut shares of 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 note on Thursday, February 22nd. Finally, BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on shares of Hexcel from $69.00 to $73.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 22nd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Hexcel has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $76.57.

Hexcel Stock Up 1.5 %

Shares of HXL opened at $64.19 on Wednesday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $70.61 and a 200-day simple moving average of $69.44. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.33 billion, a P/E ratio of 54.86, a P/E/G ratio of 1.32 and a beta of 1.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44, a quick ratio of 1.68 and a current ratio of 2.74. Hexcel has a 52 week low of $58.81 and a 52 week high of $79.08.

Hexcel (NYSE:HXL) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, April 22nd. The aerospace company reported $0.44 EPS for the quarter, meeting analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.44. Hexcel had a net margin of 5.52% and a return on equity of 8.97%. The business had revenue of $472.30 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $468.93 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.50 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 3.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts expect that Hexcel will post 2.22 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Transactions 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 shares were sold at an average price of $71.63, for a total value of $322,335.00. Following the sale, 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 at this hyperlink. In related news, insider Gina Fitzsimons sold 864 shares of the business’s 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 sale, 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 at this hyperlink. Also, insider Thierry Merlot sold 4,500 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Friday, February 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $71.63, for a total transaction of $322,335.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 50,371 shares in the company, valued at $3,608,074.73. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 1.39% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Hexcel

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in HXL. 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 valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 179 shares during the last quarter. Cetera Trust Company N.A acquired a new stake in Hexcel in the 4th quarter valued at $30,000. RiverPark Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Hexcel in the 3rd quarter valued at $41,000. Arcadia Investment Management Corp MI increased its stake in Hexcel by 110.2% in the 3rd quarter. Arcadia Investment Management Corp MI now owns 641 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $42,000 after buying an additional 336 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Principal Securities Inc. acquired a new stake in Hexcel in the 4th quarter valued at $51,000. 95.47% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Hexcel

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.