Azenta (NASDAQ:AZTA) Stock Falls 8.2% - Here's Why

Key Points

• Azenta shares fell 8.2% to about $44.90 on Thursday, with trading volume down 63% from its average; the article does not identify a definitive cause for the decline.
• Fiscal Q4 results beat expectations, with adjusted EPS of $0.28 versus $0.11 forecast and revenue of $167.1 million versus $160.2 million. Azenta’s FY2027 revenue outlook also exceeded consensus.
• A securities-related investigation poses a potential risk: Rosen Law Firm is investigating allegations of materially misleading business information, but no wrongdoing has been established.

Shares of Azenta, Inc. (NASDAQ:AZTA - Get Free Report) fell 8.2% during trading on Thursday. The company traded as low as $43.82 and last traded at $44.9030. 349,021 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 63% from the average session volume of 943,281 shares. The stock had previously closed at $48.90.

More Azenta News

Investors following AZTA have been watching these news items:

• Positive Sentiment: Results topped forecasts and guidance improved. Fiscal Q4 adjusted EPS was $0.28 versus a $0.11 consensus, and revenue was $167.1 million versus $160.2 million expected. For FY2027, Azenta forecast revenue of $648–$660 million, above the $632.4 million consensus, with organic growth of 3%–5% versus 2% in FY2026 and adjusted EBITDA margin expansion of about 200–250 basis points. Azenta FY2026 results and FY2027 outlook
• Positive Sentiment: Share repurchases and cash provide additional support. Azenta repurchased 4.4 million shares for $118.2 million in FY2026 and ended September with about $506 million in cash and marketable securities. Azenta buybacks and financial position
• Negative Sentiment: A securities-related investigation presents a risk. Rosen Law Firm said it is investigating potential claims tied to allegations that Azenta may have provided materially misleading business information. This is an investigation, not a finding of wrongdoing. Rosen Law Firm investigation notice

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on AZTA shares. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Azenta from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Sunday, October 18th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price objective on Azenta from $44.00 to $52.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday. Weiss Ratings upgraded Azenta from a "sell (e+)" rating to a "sell (d-)" rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 26th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC upped their target price on Azenta from $37.00 to $57.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $47.60.

Azenta Stock Performance

The stock has a 50-day moving average of $35.98 and a two-hundred day moving average of $28.51. The company has a market cap of $1.98 billion, a P/E ratio of -12.43 and a beta of 1.47.

Azenta (NASDAQ:AZTA - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 10th. The company reported $0.28 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.11 by $0.17. Azenta had a negative net margin of 26.86% and a positive return on equity of 1.37%. The firm had revenue of $167.09 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $160.16 million.

Institutional Trading of Azenta

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in AZTA. BlackRock Inc. bought a new position in shares of Azenta during the second quarter valued at about $192,152,000. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC lifted its stake in shares of Azenta by 16.3% in the 1st quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 1,613,914 shares of the company's stock valued at $34,183,000 after acquiring an additional 225,867 shares during the last quarter. Front Street Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Azenta in the 2nd quarter valued at about $33,212,000. American Capital Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Azenta by 26.9% during the 1st quarter. American Capital Management Inc. now owns 1,296,024 shares of the company's stock valued at $27,385,000 after acquiring an additional 274,588 shares during the period. Finally, GW&K Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in Azenta by 0.4% during the 3rd quarter. GW&K Investment Management LLC now owns 992,616 shares of the company's stock valued at $34,633,000 after acquiring an additional 4,187 shares during the period. 99.08% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Azenta Company Profile

Azenta, Inc. provides products and services for life sciences research and the management of biological samples. Its offerings include automated sample storage systems, laboratory automation equipment, consumables, and software used to track and manage samples. The company also provides genomic services through GENEWIZ, including sequencing and other genetic analysis services for researchers and organizations in the life sciences and pharmaceutical industries. Azenta was formed in 2021 when Brooks Automation separated its life sciences business and adopted the Azenta name.

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