Keysight Technologies (NYSE:KEYS) Stock Falls 8.4% - Here's Why

Key Points

• Keysight shares fell 8.4% to approximately $327.70, with trading volume significantly below the stock’s average daily volume.
• Analysts remain broadly positive, with a “Moderate Buy” consensus and an average price target of $401.42; several firms recently raised their targets.
• The company’s latest quarterly results exceeded expectations, with EPS of $3.07 and revenue of $1.85 billion, while revenue increased 36.5% year over year. Insiders, however, sold 12,200 shares during the quarter.

Keysight Technologies Inc. (NYSE:KEYS - Get Free Report)'s stock price dropped 8.4% during trading on Thursday. The company traded as low as $329.47 and last traded at $327.6990. 244,470 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 82% from the average daily volume of 1,394,709 shares. The stock had previously closed at $357.62.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

KEYS has been the topic of several research reports. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price objective on shares of Keysight Technologies from $452.00 to $487.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 6th. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on shares of Keysight Technologies from $400.00 to $425.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 19th. Truist Financial upped their target price on shares of Keysight Technologies from $376.00 to $400.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 19th. Barclays increased their target price on Keysight Technologies from $387.00 to $429.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 19th. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded Keysight Technologies from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Saturday, August 1st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $401.42.

Keysight Technologies Price Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of $57.20 billion, a PE ratio of 46.21, a P/E/G ratio of 1.17 and a beta of 1.17. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28, a current ratio of 2.02 and a quick ratio of 1.62. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $343.76 and its 200 day simple moving average is $336.49.

Keysight Technologies (NYSE:KEYS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 18th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $3.07 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.48 by $0.59. Keysight Technologies had a net margin of 19.08% and a return on equity of 24.34%. The company had revenue of $1.85 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $1.75 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.72 EPS. The firm's revenue was up 36.5% on a year-over-year basis. Keysight Technologies has set its Q4 2026 guidance at 3.340-3.400 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 11.460-11.460 EPS. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Keysight Technologies Inc. will post 10.33 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Keysight Technologies

In other news, CFO Neil Dougherty sold 2,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $340.79, for a total transaction of $681,580.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 123,390 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $42,050,078.10. This trade represents a 1.60% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Jean Mcclung Nye sold 3,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $319.22, for a total value of $957,660.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 35,752 shares in the company, valued at $11,412,753.44. This trade represents a 7.74% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 12,200 shares of company stock valued at $4,082,752. 0.40% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Keysight Technologies

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of KEYS. Fiduciary Financial Advisors bought a new stake in shares of Keysight Technologies during the 2nd quarter valued at $28,000. IMG Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Keysight Technologies in the 2nd quarter worth about $29,000. Compass Financial Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Keysight Technologies in the 2nd quarter worth about $34,000. Virtus Advisers LLC bought a new position in shares of Keysight Technologies in the 2nd quarter worth about $35,000. Finally, Markowski Investments bought a new position in shares of Keysight Technologies in the 2nd quarter worth about $38,000. 84.58% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Keysight Technologies Company Profile

Keysight Technologies, Inc is a technology company that provides electronic design and test solutions for communications, aerospace and defense, automotive, semiconductor, energy, and other industries. Its products and services help engineers design, validate, manufacture, and optimize electronic systems and communications networks.

The company offers test and measurement instruments, software, network test and visibility solutions, simulation and modeling tools, cybersecurity testing capabilities, and related technical services.

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