Zacks Research Has Optimistic Opinion of IFF Q3 Earnings

Key Points

• Zacks Research raised its Q3 2026 EPS estimate for IFF to $0.71 from $0.67, while maintaining a “Hold” rating. It also increased several longer-term earnings forecasts, including FY2027 EPS to $3.97 and FY2028 EPS to $4.70.
• IFF’s latest quarter fell short of expectations, reporting $0.82 EPS versus $1.07 expected and revenue of $1.95 billion versus $2.62 billion expected, despite revenue increasing 1.8% year over year.
• Analyst sentiment is moderately positive overall, with 12 Buy ratings and seven Holds and an average price target of $92.69. IFF also authorized a $2.5 billion share-repurchase program and pays a quarterly dividend of $0.40.

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (NYSE:IFF - Free Report) - Stock analysts at Zacks Research boosted their Q3 2026 EPS estimates for shares of International Flavors & Fragrances in a note issued to investors on Friday, October 9th. Zacks Research analyst Team now anticipates that the specialty chemicals company will post earnings per share of $0.71 for the quarter, up from their prior estimate of $0.67. Zacks Research currently has a "Hold" rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for International Flavors & Fragrances' current full-year earnings is $3.09 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for International Flavors & Fragrances' Q4 2026 earnings at $0.74 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $3.19 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $1.00 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $1.10 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $3.97 EPS, Q1 2028 earnings at $1.18 EPS, Q2 2028 earnings at $1.20 EPS, Q3 2028 earnings at $1.19 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $4.70 EPS.

International Flavors & Fragrances (NYSE:IFF - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, August 4th. The specialty chemicals company reported $0.82 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.07 by ($0.25). The firm had revenue of $1.95 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.62 billion. International Flavors & Fragrances had a return on equity of 7.11% and a net margin of 2.78%. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 1.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.15 EPS.

Other equities analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. Vertical Research downgraded International Flavors & Fragrances from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating and set a $93.00 price objective for the company. in a research report on Thursday, August 6th. Argus increased their price objective on International Flavors & Fragrances from $85.00 to $95.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 7th. KeyCorp initiated coverage on International Flavors & Fragrances in a research report on Thursday, September 10th. They issued a "sector weight" rating on the stock. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of International Flavors & Fragrances from a "hold (c-)" rating to a "hold (c)" rating in a research report on Thursday. Finally, UBS Group increased their target price on International Flavors & Fragrances from $84.00 to $91.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Thursday, August 6th. Twelve research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, International Flavors & Fragrances currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $92.69.

International Flavors & Fragrances Price Performance

Shares of International Flavors & Fragrances stock opened at $84.59 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $21.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 77.60, a P/E/G ratio of 3.28 and a beta of 0.91. The firm's 50-day moving average price is $84.69 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $78.59. The company has a current ratio of 2.06, a quick ratio of 1.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34. International Flavors & Fragrances has a 1-year low of $59.14 and a 1-year high of $89.32.

International Flavors & Fragrances Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 9th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 18th were issued a $0.40 dividend. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, September 18th. International Flavors & Fragrances's dividend payout ratio is presently 146.79%.

International Flavors & Fragrances announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock repurchase plan on Tuesday, August 4th that authorizes the company to buy back $2.50 billion in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the specialty chemicals company to purchase up to 12.1% of its stock through open market purchases. Share buyback plans are often an indication that the company's leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Insider Buying and Selling at International Flavors & Fragrances

In other news, CAO Marc Birenkrant sold 1,000 shares of International Flavors & Fragrances 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 owned 3,446 shares of the company's stock, valued at $292,910. This trade represents a 22.49% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Michael Deveau sold 8,825 shares of International Flavors & Fragrances stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $85.55, for a total value of $754,978.75. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 5,199 shares of the company's stock, valued at $444,774.45. The trade was a 62.93% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold a total of 15,543 shares of company stock worth $1,315,659 over the last quarter. 1.07% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Korea Investment CORP bought a new position in International Flavors & Fragrances in the second quarter valued at about $3,170,000. Vaughan Nelson Investment Management L.P. lifted its holdings in shares of International Flavors & Fragrances by 38.6% in the first quarter. Vaughan Nelson Investment Management L.P. now owns 784,570 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $56,921,000 after acquiring an additional 218,420 shares during the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC bought a new position in shares of International Flavors & Fragrances in the second quarter worth about $3,203,000. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System acquired a new stake in shares of International Flavors & Fragrances in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $950,000. Finally, Murphy Pohlad Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of International Flavors & Fragrances in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $1,481,000. 96.02% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Key International Flavors & Fragrances News

Here are the key news stories impacting International Flavors & Fragrances this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research raised earnings estimates across multiple periods. Forecasts increased for Q3 and Q4 2026, FY2026, Q3 and Q4 2027, FY2027, Q1–Q3 2028, and FY2028. The largest revisions included FY2027 EPS rising to $3.97 from $3.72 and FY2028 EPS increasing to $4.70 from $4.32, suggesting analysts see improving profitability over the next several years. Zacks Research estimates for International Flavors & Fragrances
• Neutral Sentiment: UBS maintained its Hold rating on IFF. The decision indicates no change in the bank’s investment view and may limit upside enthusiasm despite the higher earnings projections. UBS keeps Hold rating on International Flavors & Fragrances
• Negative Sentiment: Recent operating results remain a concern. IFF’s latest reported quarter missed consensus estimates, with EPS of $0.82 versus $1.07 expected and revenue of $1.95 billion versus $2.62 billion expected. The earnings shortfall and relatively high valuation may be offsetting the benefit of the upgraded longer-term forecasts.

About International Flavors & Fragrances

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc NYSE: IFF develops and manufactures ingredients and solutions used in food, beverages, personal care products, fragrances, household products, pharmaceuticals and other consumer goods. The company works with manufacturers to create flavors, fragrances, functional ingredients and sensory experiences for products sold under consumer brands.

IFF's portfolio includes natural and synthetic flavor compounds, fragrance ingredients, specialty ingredients, food texturants, enzymes, cultures, probiotics and pharmaceutical excipients.

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