Avantor (NYSE:AVTR) Hits New 52-Week High - Here's Why

Key Points

• Avantor shares reached a new 52-week high of $15.99, up from a prior close of $15.61, with nearly 1 million shares traded.
• The company exceeded quarterly expectations, reporting adjusted EPS of $0.21 versus a $0.19 consensus and revenue of $1.69 billion versus estimates of $1.61 billion; full-year EPS guidance remains $0.80–$0.83.
• Analyst sentiment remains cautious overall, with an average “Hold” rating and $12.47 price target, although Wells Fargo raised its target to $16 and institutional investors own approximately 95.1% of the stock.

Avantor, Inc. (NYSE:AVTR - Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high during trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as $15.99 and last traded at $15.8950, with a volume of 962209 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $15.61.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on the stock. TD Cowen reissued a "hold" rating on shares of Avantor in a research report on Wednesday, July 15th. Wall Street Zen raised Avantor from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Saturday, June 27th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on Avantor from $14.00 to $16.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Thursday, July 30th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on Avantor from $10.00 to $14.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Thursday, July 30th. Finally, Barclays upped their target price on Avantor from $7.00 to $8.00 and gave the stock an "underweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 24th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Avantor currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $12.47.

Avantor Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 1.18 and a current ratio of 1.78. The firm has a market cap of $10.78 billion, a PE ratio of -18.97, a PEG ratio of 11.65 and a beta of 0.89. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $13.42 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $10.28.

Avantor (NYSE:AVTR - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The company reported $0.21 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.19 by $0.02. Avantor had a positive return on equity of 9.92% and a negative net margin of 8.81%.The firm had revenue of $1.69 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.61 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.24 EPS. Avantor's revenue was up .5% on a year-over-year basis. Avantor has set its FY 2026 guidance at 0.800-0.830 EPS. On average, research analysts forecast that Avantor, Inc. will post 0.81 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Avantor

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. BlackRock Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Avantor during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $695,784,000. Barrow Hanley Mewhinney & Strauss LLC purchased a new stake in Avantor during the second quarter worth $195,386,000. Clarkston Capital Partners LLC increased its position in shares of Avantor by 0.6% in the fourth quarter. Clarkston Capital Partners LLC now owns 15,105,065 shares of the company's stock valued at $173,104,000 after buying an additional 84,740 shares in the last quarter. Engine Capital Management LP raised its stake in shares of Avantor by 65.8% during the 1st quarter. Engine Capital Management LP now owns 19,780,830 shares of the company's stock worth $155,082,000 after buying an additional 7,853,018 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its position in shares of Avantor by 15.7% in the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 16,894,649 shares of the company's stock worth $132,443,000 after buying an additional 2,288,053 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.08% of the company's stock.

About Avantor

Avantor, Inc NYSE: AVTR is a global provider of products and services used in the life sciences, healthcare and advanced technology industries. The company supports research, drug discovery, biopharmaceutical production, clinical and diagnostic activities, and other laboratory-based applications.

Its offerings include laboratory chemicals and reagents, consumables, equipment, instruments, production materials and related services. Avantor also provides supply-chain, procurement and other technical solutions designed to help customers manage laboratory and manufacturing operations.

Avantor serves customers across pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies, healthcare providers, academic and government institutions, medical laboratories and industrial businesses.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.