Morgan Stanley Has Lowered Expectations for Clorox (NYSE:CLX) Stock Price

Key Points

• Morgan Stanley cut its price target on Clorox to $97 from $110 and kept an "equal weight" rating, while analyst targets remain mixed and the consensus rating is "Reduce" with an average price target of $108.40.
• Clorox beat Q3 EPS estimates ($1.64 vs. $1.55) but revenue was essentially flat at $1.67B, and management trimmed FY2026 guidance to $5.45–$5.65 citing softer demand and rising costs.
• Shares fell sharply (trading down about 9.5%), opened at $87.30 and hit 52‑week lows as investors reacted to the mixed quarter and the lowered outlook.

Clorox (NYSE:CLX - Get Free Report) had its price target dropped by analysts at Morgan Stanley from $110.00 to $97.00 in a research note issued to investors on Friday,MarketScreener reports. The firm currently has an "equal weight" rating on the stock. Morgan Stanley's price objective would suggest a potential upside of 11.12% from the company's previous close.

A number of other research firms have also recently weighed in on CLX. UBS Group set a $96.00 price target on Clorox in a research note on Friday. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Clorox from a "sell (d+)" rating to a "hold (c-)" rating in a research note on Monday, April 13th. Barclays set a $85.00 price objective on Clorox in a research note on Friday. BNP Paribas Exane upgraded shares of Clorox from an "underperform" rating to a "neutral" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 11th. Finally, TD Cowen lifted their price target on Clorox from $98.00 to $111.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 31st. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, twelve have issued a Hold rating and four have given a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Reduce" and an average price target of $108.40.

Clorox Trading Down 9.5%

NYSE CLX opened at $87.30 on Friday. Clorox has a 12 month low of $90.38 and a 12 month high of $140.24. The company has a current ratio of 0.74, a quick ratio of 0.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 71.03. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $108.21 and a 200-day moving average of $108.82. The company has a market cap of $10.55 billion, a PE ratio of 14.24, a PEG ratio of 0.47 and a beta of 0.65.

Clorox (NYSE:CLX - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 30th. The company reported $1.64 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.55 by $0.09. Clorox had a net margin of 11.17% and a return on equity of 383.01%. The business had revenue of $1.67 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.67 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.45 earnings per share. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up .1% on a year-over-year basis. Clorox has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.450-5.650 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Clorox will post 5.87 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Clorox

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of CLX. ProShare Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Clorox by 11.7% during the third quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 1,297,016 shares of the company's stock worth $159,922,000 after acquiring an additional 136,135 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC boosted its holdings in Clorox by 64.2% in the third quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC now owns 25,732 shares of the company's stock valued at $3,173,000 after acquiring an additional 10,065 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its position in Clorox by 27.0% during the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 928,654 shares of the company's stock valued at $114,506,000 after purchasing an additional 197,330 shares during the period. Eliot Finkel Investment Counsel LLC bought a new position in Clorox during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $1,697,000. Finally, Occidental Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Clorox in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $2,115,000. Institutional investors own 78.53% of the company's stock.

Clorox News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Clorox this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q3 earnings beat consensus: Clorox reported non‑GAAP EPS of $1.64 versus estimates (~$1.55), which reassures investors on near‑term profit resilience. Clorox (CLX) Beats Q3 Earnings and Revenue Estimates
• Positive Sentiment: Management highlights growth initiatives: The earnings call stressed product innovation and targeted acquisitions as levers to restore top‑line growth and margins over time — a constructive long‑term message for investors. Clorox Co (CLX) Q3 2026 Earnings Call Highlights: Navigating Challenges with Strategic Innovations
• Neutral Sentiment: Revenue essentially flat and in line with expectations: Q3 sales were about $1.67B, roughly flat year‑over‑year and roughly matching street estimates, which explains the mixed market reaction (beat on EPS, matched on revenue). Clorox Reports Q3 Fiscal Year 2026 Results, Updates Outlook
• Neutral Sentiment: Stock was an after‑hours mover: CLX was flagged among after‑hours movers after the print, indicating heightened trading and volatility as markets digest the mixed news. After-hours movers: AAPL, ROKU, RBLX, TEAM, SNDK, RDDT, TWLO, CLX, WDC
• Negative Sentiment: Full‑year EPS outlook trimmed: Management updated FY‑2026 guidance below prior expectations, which caps upside and explains investor caution despite the quarter's EPS beat. Clorox Posts Mixed Q3 Results, Lowers Fiscal 2026 Outlook
• Negative Sentiment: Weaker demand and rising costs cited: Reports note the company cut its profit forecast due to softer demand and cost pressures, two factors that weigh on margins and near‑term returns. Clorox cuts annual profit forecast on weaker demand, rising costs
• Negative Sentiment: Shares have recently hit 52‑week lows amid the mixed print and lowered outlook, signaling continued investor caution and possible technical selling pressure. Consumer Products Giant Clorox Shares Are Hitting New 52-Week Lows Thursday: Here's Why

Clorox Company Profile

The Clorox Company is a leading manufacturer and marketer of consumer and professional products designed to help people care for their homes and live healthy, sustainable lives. Its portfolio spans cleaning and household products, food and beverages, water filtration systems and cat litter, serving both retail and institutional customers. The company's flagship bleach and disinfecting products are well known in the United States and many international markets, where they help prevent the spread of germs in homes, hospitals, schools and businesses.

Clorox's diverse brand lineup includes liquid bleach and surface cleaners, eco-friendly cleaning tools, food preservation and preparation items, charcoal grills and briquettes, specialty foods and beverages, pet care products and personal care lines.

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