FMC (NYSE:FMC) Upgraded by KeyCorp to Strong-Buy Rating

Key Points

• KeyCorp upgraded FMC to “strong buy” and projected FY2028 earnings of $2.05 per share, above the current-year consensus estimate of $1.27.
• Analyst sentiment remains mixed: FMC has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $14.25, versus its recent price near $12.11.
• FMC beat quarterly EPS expectations ($0.26 versus $0.22), but revenue fell 17.5% year over year to $841.4 million and the company reported a steep negative net margin.

FMC (NYSE:FMC - Get Free Report) was upgraded by analysts at KeyCorp to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday, Zacks reports. KeyCorp also issued estimates for FMC's FY2028 earnings at $2.05 EPS.

Other equities research analysts have also issued reports about the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a "buy" rating and set a $18.00 price target on shares of FMC in a report on Friday, July 31st. Royal Bank Of Canada decreased their price objective on shares of FMC from $12.00 to $11.00 and set a "sector perform" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, August 3rd. BMO Capital Markets set a $14.00 target price on FMC in a research note on Friday, July 3rd. Citigroup reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of FMC in a research report on Tuesday, August 4th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a "sell (d-)" rating on shares of FMC in a research note on Wednesday, August 26th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have given a Buy rating, seven have assigned a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, FMC currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $14.25.

FMC Price Performance

FMC stock opened at $12.11 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $1.52 billion, a P/E ratio of -0.55 and a beta of 0.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.38, a quick ratio of 1.48 and a current ratio of 1.99. FMC has a 1 year low of $9.94 and a 1 year high of $38.68. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $11.20 and a 200-day simple moving average of $13.05.

FMC (NYSE:FMC - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The basic materials company reported $0.26 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.22 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $841.40 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $895.14 million. FMC had a positive return on equity of 11.35% and a negative net margin of 84.83%.FMC's revenue for the quarter was down 17.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.69 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that FMC will post 1.27 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Root Financial Partners LLC raised its stake in shares of FMC by 3,642.9% in the 1st quarter. Root Financial Partners LLC now owns 1,834 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 1,785 shares in the last quarter. Essential Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of FMC during the first quarter worth about $43,000. IFP Advisors Inc grew its stake in FMC by 99.0% in the second quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 2,726 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 1,356 shares in the last quarter. Nykredit A S acquired a new position in FMC in the second quarter worth about $55,000. Finally, Armistice Capital LLC bought a new stake in FMC in the third quarter valued at about $204,000. 91.86% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Key Stories Impacting FMC

Here are the key news stories impacting FMC this week:

• Positive Sentiment: KeyCorp analyst S. Tiano projects FMC will earn $2.05 per share in FY2028, well above the current full-year consensus estimate of $1.27. The forecast suggests analysts expect a meaningful recovery in profitability over the next several years, which may support investor sentiment. KeyCorp FY2028 earnings estimate
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts reportedly assign FMC an average price target of $14.25, above the stock’s recent trading level near $12, indicating potential upside if the company delivers on its expected earnings recovery. FMC average analyst price target
• Neutral Sentiment: Corporate controller Nicholas Pfeiffer sold 1,251 FMC shares for approximately $15,988, reducing his position by 4.2% but leaving him with 28,513 shares. The transaction is relatively small and does not necessarily indicate a change in management’s view of the company. FMC insider stock sale filing
• Negative Sentiment: Reports about vulnerabilities in Cisco Secure FMC involve Cisco’s cybersecurity software, not FMC Corporation, and therefore have no direct investment implications for FMC shares. Cisco Secure FMC vulnerability report

FMC Company Profile

FMC Corporation is a global agricultural sciences company specializing in the development, manufacture and marketing of crop protection products. Its portfolio includes herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and plant nutrition solutions designed to enhance crop yield, quality and sustainability. In addition to core crop protection, FMC delivers solutions for turf management and pest control in urban and industrial environments.

Founded in 1883 as the Bean Spray Pump Company and later known as Food Machinery Corporation, the business adopted the FMC name in 1948 and has since evolved through strategic acquisitions and divestitures.

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