International Flavors & Fragrances (NYSE:IFF) Stock Moved Up to "Strong-Buy" by Zacks Research

Key Points

• Zacks Research upgraded IFF to “Strong Buy” from “Hold” and projected earnings of $3.99 per share for fiscal 2027 and $4.71 for fiscal 2028.
• Analyst sentiment is generally positive, with a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and an average price target of $93.22, although some firms maintain Hold or sector-weight ratings.
• IFF authorized a $2.5 billion share-repurchase program, covering up to 12.1% of outstanding shares, despite recently missing quarterly earnings and revenue estimates.

International Flavors & Fragrances (NYSE:IFF - Get Free Report) was upgraded by Zacks Research from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Tuesday, Zacks reports. Zacks Research also issued estimates for International Flavors & Fragrances' Q1 2027 earnings at $0.99 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $0.90 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $3.99 EPS, Q1 2028 earnings at $1.19 EPS, Q2 2028 earnings at $1.21 EPS, Q3 2028 earnings at $1.20 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $4.71 EPS.

A number of other analysts also recently commented on the stock. Vertical Research downgraded shares of International Flavors & Fragrances from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating and set a $93.00 target price on the stock. in a report on Thursday, August 6th. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of International Flavors & Fragrances from a "hold (c-)" rating to a "hold (c)" rating in a report on Thursday, October 8th. Barclays raised their target price on shares of International Flavors & Fragrances from $96.00 to $105.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday, October 16th. Benchmark lifted their price target on shares of International Flavors & Fragrances from $100.00 to $105.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, August 6th. Finally, KeyCorp started coverage on International Flavors & Fragrances in a report on Thursday, September 10th. They issued a "sector weight" rating on the stock. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have given a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $93.22.

International Flavors & Fragrances Price Performance

NYSE:IFF opened at $91.06 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.72, a current ratio of 2.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34. The business's 50-day moving average price is $85.55 and its 200 day moving average price is $79.63. International Flavors & Fragrances has a 52-week low of $61.29 and a 52-week high of $92.02. The firm has a market cap of $23.23 billion, a P/E ratio of 83.54, a PEG ratio of 3.85 and a beta of 0.91.

International Flavors & Fragrances (NYSE:IFF - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 4th. The specialty chemicals company reported $0.82 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.07 by ($0.25). International Flavors & Fragrances had a net margin of 2.78% and a return on equity of 7.11%. The business had revenue of $1.95 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.62 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.15 earnings per share. International Flavors & Fragrances's revenue was up 1.8% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that International Flavors & Fragrances will post 3.29 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

International Flavors & Fragrances declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a share buyback program on Tuesday, August 4th that authorizes the company to buy back $2.50 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the specialty chemicals company to repurchase up to 12.1% of its stock through open market purchases. Share repurchase programs are often an indication that the company's board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other International Flavors & Fragrances news, CAO Marc Birenkrant sold 1,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $85.00, for a total value of $85,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer directly owned 3,446 shares in the company, valued at $292,910. This trade represents a 22.49% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Michael Deveau sold 8,825 shares of International Flavors & Fragrances stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $85.55, for a total transaction of $754,978.75. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 5,199 shares in the company, valued at approximately $444,774.45. This trade represents a 62.93% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 15,543 shares of company stock worth $1,315,659. Company insiders own 1.07% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On International Flavors & Fragrances

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Studio Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in International Flavors & Fragrances by 3.7% in the 2nd quarter. Studio Investment Management LLC now owns 3,916 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $312,000 after purchasing an additional 138 shares during the period. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust grew its position in International Flavors & Fragrances by 27.9% during the 2nd quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 706 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $56,000 after purchasing an additional 154 shares in the last quarter. Waverly Advisors LLC raised its stake in International Flavors & Fragrances by 4.2% during the 2nd quarter. Waverly Advisors LLC now owns 3,850 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock valued at $305,000 after purchasing an additional 156 shares during the period. HB Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in International Flavors & Fragrances by 2.8% during the 2nd quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC now owns 6,272 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock valued at $497,000 after purchasing an additional 171 shares during the period. Finally, QRG Capital Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of International Flavors & Fragrances by 6.3% in the first quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. now owns 3,875 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock valued at $281,000 after purchasing an additional 228 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.02% of the company's stock.

International Flavors & Fragrances Company Profile

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc NYSE: IFF develops and manufactures ingredients, flavor systems, fragrances and specialty solutions used in consumer and industrial products. Its offerings support food and beverage manufacturers, fragrance and personal care companies, household-product makers, pharmaceutical businesses and other customers.

The company's portfolio includes flavors for beverages, dairy products, sweet goods, savory foods and other applications; fragrances for fine fragrance, personal care and home care products; and functional ingredients, enzymes, cultures, natural extracts and other specialty materials.

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