Northcoast Research Downgrades Hexcel (NYSE:HXL) to Neutral

Hexcel (NYSE:HXL - Get Free Report) was downgraded by stock analysts at Northcoast Research from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday, Marketbeat.com reports.

A number of other equities analysts also recently issued reports on the company. BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on Hexcel from $69.00 to $73.00 and gave the stock a "market perform" rating in a research report on Thursday, February 22nd. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded Hexcel from a "sell" rating to a "neutral" rating and increased their price target for the company from $57.00 to $70.00 in a research note on Wednesday, January 10th. Morgan Stanley cut Hexcel from an "equal weight" rating to an "underweight" rating and decreased their price target for the company from $70.00 to $66.00 in a research note on Thursday, February 22nd. Bank of America restated an "underperform" rating and issued a $65.00 price objective (down from $75.00) on shares of Hexcel in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, UBS Group cut Hexcel from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and reduced their price objective for the stock from $87.00 to $72.00 in a research note on Tuesday, January 30th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Hexcel currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $76.57.

Hexcel Price Performance

Shares of HXL traded down $8.76 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $62.39. 5,754,536 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 813,514. The company has a market cap of $5.18 billion, a PE ratio of 51.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.47 and a beta of 1.23. Hexcel has a 52-week low of $58.81 and a 52-week high of $79.08. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $72.54 and a two-hundred day moving average of $69.77. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41, a quick ratio of 1.68 and a current ratio of 2.74.

Hexcel (NYSE:HXL - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 25th. The aerospace company reported $0.43 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.49 by ($0.06). The firm had revenue of $457.50 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $474.01 million. Hexcel had a return on equity of 9.31% and a net margin of 5.91%. The firm's revenue was up 6.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.40 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts predict that Hexcel will post 2.25 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Hexcel

In related news, insider Gina Fitzsimons sold 864 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.10, for a total transaction of $62,294.40. Following the sale, the insider now owns 3,375 shares of the company's stock, valued at $243,337.50. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, insider Thierry Merlot sold 4,500 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Friday, February 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $71.63, for a total transaction of $322,335.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 50,371 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,608,074.73. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Gina Fitzsimons sold 864 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.10, for a total value of $62,294.40. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 3,375 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $243,337.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 1.85% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of Hexcel

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. boosted its position in Hexcel by 12.6% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 8,268 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $492,000 after purchasing an additional 922 shares during the period. US Bancorp DE grew its stake in shares of Hexcel by 17.0% in the first quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 11,064 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $658,000 after buying an additional 1,609 shares in the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Hexcel by 10.6% during the 1st quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 17,097 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $1,017,000 after buying an additional 1,641 shares during the period. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its position in Hexcel by 18.0% during the 1st quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 16,823 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $1,000,000 after acquiring an additional 2,567 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can boosted its holdings in Hexcel by 22.7% in the 1st quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 34,884 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $2,087,000 after acquiring an additional 6,443 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 95.47% of the company's stock.

About Hexcel

Hexcel Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets carbon fibers, structural reinforcements, honeycomb structures, resins, and composite materials and parts for use in commercial aerospace, space and defense, and industrial applications. It operates through two segments, Composite Materials and Engineered Products.