KeyCorp Upgrades Corteva (NYSE:CTVA) to Hold

Key Points

• KeyCorp upgraded Corteva to “Hold” and forecast EPS of $4.00 for fiscal 2027 and $4.20 for fiscal 2028. Despite the upgrade, analysts’ overall consensus remains “Moderate Buy,” with a $91.50 target price.
• Corteva’s latest quarter beat EPS expectations, reporting $2.30 versus the $2.24 consensus, although revenue of $6.38 billion declined 1.2% year over year and missed estimates.
• Shares opened at $84.43, down 0.4%, while institutional investors owned 81.54% of the stock. Corteva also faces a $455 million PFAS settlement involving DuPont and Chemours, adding potential pressure to cash flow.

Corteva (NYSE:CTVA - Get Free Report) was upgraded by investment analysts at KeyCorp to a "hold" rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday, Zacks reports. KeyCorp also issued estimates for Corteva's Q3 2026 earnings at ($0.33) EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $0.31 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $4.00 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $4.20 EPS.

A number of other brokerages also recently commented on CTVA. Weiss Ratings downgraded shares of Corteva from a "hold (c+)" rating to a "hold (c)" rating in a research report on Monday, August 3rd. Citigroup lifted their price target on Corteva from $85.00 to $86.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Monday, August 3rd. Zacks Research cut shares of Corteva from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, August 11th. Morgan Stanley upped their price target on Corteva from $84.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Thursday, May 28th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of Corteva from $77.00 to $83.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Monday, August 3rd. Fourteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Corteva currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $91.50.

Corteva Stock Down 0.4%

Shares of NYSE:CTVA opened at $84.43 on Thursday. Corteva has a 1 year low of $60.53 and a 1 year high of $90.97. The firm's 50-day moving average is $83.54 and its two-hundred day moving average is $81.31. The firm has a market capitalization of $56.33 billion, a PE ratio of 55.92, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.60 and a beta of 0.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07, a current ratio of 1.52 and a quick ratio of 1.10.

Corteva (NYSE:CTVA - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $2.30 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.24 by $0.06. Corteva had a net margin of 5.66% and a return on equity of 10.18%. The company had revenue of $6.38 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.60 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $2.20 EPS. The firm's quarterly revenue was down 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. Corteva has set its FY 2026 guidance at 3.600-3.800 EPS. Analysts predict that Corteva will post 3.72 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Trading of Corteva

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. EFG International AG purchased a new position in shares of Corteva during the second quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Compass Financial Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Corteva during the 2nd quarter valued at $25,000. JPL Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Corteva in the third quarter worth about $25,000. Garton & Associates Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Corteva in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Finally, Bank of Jackson Hole Trust acquired a new stake in Corteva during the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. 81.54% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Key Headlines Impacting Corteva

Here are the key news stories impacting Corteva this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Long-term earnings outlook improved: KeyCorp projects $4.00 in fiscal 2027 EPS and $4.20 in fiscal 2028 EPS, above the current-year consensus estimate of $3.72. The forecasts suggest expectations for continued earnings growth beyond 2026.
• Positive Sentiment: New crop-protection venture: Corteva and Globachem agreed to form a joint venture focused on developing and commercializing formulated crop-protection products in high-growth markets. The partnership could expand Corteva’s product pipeline and commercial reach, although financial details were not disclosed. Corteva and Globachem joint venture announcement
• Neutral Sentiment: Near-term estimates are mixed: KeyCorp expects a $0.33 per-share loss in the third quarter of 2026 but $0.31 in EPS for the fourth quarter. The estimates are broadly consistent with Corteva’s seasonal earnings pattern and do not change the current full-year consensus of $3.72 EPS.
• Negative Sentiment: PFAS settlement adds a legal cost: Corteva, DuPont and Chemours agreed to pay $455 million to North Carolina and 11 local entities over contamination claims associated with the Fayetteville Works plant and historical discharges. The settlement removes some litigation uncertainty but may pressure cash flow and reinforces environmental-liability concerns. Reuters PFAS settlement report

About Corteva

Corteva, Inc is a global agricultural science company that develops and supplies seed, crop protection and digital agriculture solutions. Its products are designed to help farmers improve crop productivity, manage pests and weeds, and address changing environmental and agricultural conditions.

The company's seed portfolio includes corn, soybean, wheat, sunflower, canola, cotton and other crop varieties marketed under brands such as Pioneer and Brevant. Corteva also provides herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and biological products, including solutions associated with its Enlist weed-control system and other crop protection technologies.

Corteva serves farmers, agricultural retailers and other customers across North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia and other international markets.

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