Brokerages Set Hexcel Co. (NYSE:HXL) Price Target at $71.33

Hexcel Co. (NYSE:HXL) has been given a consensus recommendation of “Hold” by the fourteen analysts that are covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, eight have given a hold recommendation and four have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month price target among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $73.25.

HXL has been the subject of several recent research reports. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on Hexcel from $74.00 to $82.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on Hexcel from $81.00 to $87.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday. Vertical Research lowered shares of Hexcel from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and set a $65.00 price objective for the company. in a report on Thursday, October 10th. UBS Group raised their price objective on shares of Hexcel from $67.00 to $69.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets decreased their target price on shares of Hexcel from $70.00 to $68.00 and set a “market perform” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 28th.

Hexcel Trading Down 4.5 %

Shares of HXL opened at $67.48 on Monday. Hexcel has a 52-week low of $57.50 and a 52-week high of $77.09. The stock has a market cap of $5.47 billion, a PE ratio of 42.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.30. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $63.73 and its two-hundred day moving average is $62.71. The company has a quick ratio of 1.51, a current ratio of 2.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51.

Hexcel (NYSE:HXL) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 22nd. The aerospace company reported $0.52 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.52. Hexcel had a net margin of 6.94% and a return on equity of 10.55%. Research analysts forecast that Hexcel will post 2.34 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hexcel Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 14th. Investors of record on Friday, February 7th will be issued a $0.17 dividend. This represents a $0.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.01%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 7th. This is an increase from Hexcel’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.15. Hexcel’s payout ratio is currently 37.74%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Hexcel

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. True Wealth Design LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Hexcel during the third quarter worth about $30,000. Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new stake in Hexcel during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $56,000. First Horizon Advisors Inc. boosted its position in Hexcel by 53.8% in the 3rd quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 932 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $58,000 after buying an additional 326 shares during the period. Huntington National Bank grew its stake in shares of Hexcel by 30.8% in the third quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 955 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $59,000 after acquiring an additional 225 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Eastern Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Hexcel during the third quarter worth $62,000. 95.47% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.