Analysts have set a new average price target of $13.60 for Avantor, Inc. (NYSE:AVTR), reflecting a consensus recommendation of “Hold” from the seventeen brokerages currently covering the stock, according to Marketbeat. Among these firms, one analyst has issued a sell rating, while thirteen have categorized it as a hold and three have given it a buy rating.
Recent reports have highlighted fluctuations in analysts’ opinions regarding Avantor. On October 30, 2023, both JPMorgan Chase & Co. and UBS Group restated their “neutral” ratings, setting target prices of $12.00 for the stock, a decrease from previous estimates of $14.00. Meanwhile, TD Cowen also lowered its price target to $12.00 while maintaining a “hold” rating. In a contrasting move, Zacks Research upgraded Avantor from a “strong sell” to a “hold” rating, indicating a possible shift in sentiment.
Institutional investors have recently made notable moves regarding Avantor shares. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. significantly increased its stake by 288.4% in the first quarter, now owning 1,701 shares valued at approximately $28,000. Royal Bank of Canada also raised its holdings by 104.3%, resulting in ownership of 203,738 shares worth around $3.3 million. Other significant players include Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C., which acquired a new position valued at $4.86 million. Overall, institutional investors now hold 95.08% of Avantor’s stock.
As of Monday, shares of Avantor opened at $12.09, reflecting a 1.5% decline. The stock has seen a yearly low of $10.62 and a high of $23.32. Financial metrics indicate a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 1.49, and a quick ratio of 0.96. The company has a market capitalization of $8.24 billion and a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of -92.96.
Avantor recently reported its earnings results for the third quarter on October 29, 2023. The company posted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.22, falling short of analysts’ estimates of $0.23 by $0.01. Revenue for the quarter totaled $1.62 billion, slightly below expectations of $1.65 billion. This revenue reflects a 5.3% decline compared to the same quarter last year. For the fiscal year 2025, Avantor has set its EPS guidance between $0.880 and $0.920. Analysts forecast an EPS of $1.06 for the current fiscal year.
Avantor, Inc. is recognized as a global provider of essential products and services in various sectors, including biopharma, healthcare, education, and advanced technologies. The company’s extensive product portfolio includes high-purity chemicals, biologics, cell culture media, lab equipment, and custom manufacturing services, organized across two primary segments.
