West Pharmaceutical Services (NYSE:WST) Cut to Hold at Zacks Research

Key Points

• West Pharmaceutical Services was downgraded from a "strong-buy" to a "hold" rating by Zacks Research, reflecting a shift in analyst sentiment.
• UBS Group raised its price target for the stock from $285.00 to $320.00 while maintaining a "buy" rating, indicating ongoing confidence in the company despite the downgrade.
• West Pharmaceutical Services' stock saw a 1.9% decline on the day of the downgrade, trading at $254.92 amidst varying analyst ratings from "strong buy" to "hold" and an average price target of $318.56.

West Pharmaceutical Services (NYSE:WST - Get Free Report) was downgraded by investment analysts at Zacks Research from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday,Zacks.com reports.

Several other research analysts have also weighed in on the stock. UBS Group raised their price objective on shares of West Pharmaceutical Services from $285.00 to $320.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, July 25th. Barclays initiated coverage on West Pharmaceutical Services in a report on Tuesday, June 24th. They set an "equal weight" rating and a $245.00 target price on the stock. Rothschild & Co Redburn began coverage on West Pharmaceutical Services in a report on Monday, September 15th. They set a "buy" rating and a $311.00 target price for the company. Rothschild Redb upgraded West Pharmaceutical Services to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Monday, September 15th. Finally, Redburn Partners set a $311.00 price objective on shares of West Pharmaceutical Services in a research report on Monday, September 15th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have assigned a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, West Pharmaceutical Services has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $318.56.

West Pharmaceutical Services Stock Down 1.9%

Shares of West Pharmaceutical Services stock traded down $5.02 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $254.92. 109,575 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 812,618. West Pharmaceutical Services has a twelve month low of $187.43 and a twelve month high of $352.33. The company has a market cap of $18.33 billion, a PE ratio of 38.15, a PEG ratio of 4.45 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a quick ratio of 2.08, a current ratio of 2.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $246.06 and a 200-day simple moving average of $226.91.

West Pharmaceutical Services (NYSE:WST - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 24th. The medical instruments supplier reported $1.84 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.51 by $0.33. West Pharmaceutical Services had a return on equity of 18.43% and a net margin of 16.48%.The firm had revenue of $766.50 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $725.11 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.52 earnings per share. West Pharmaceutical Services's revenue for the quarter was up 9.2% on a year-over-year basis. West Pharmaceutical Services has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.650-6.850 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that West Pharmaceutical Services will post 6.62 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Trading of West Pharmaceutical Services

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Vise Technologies Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of West Pharmaceutical Services during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $203,000. Toronto Dominion Bank raised its stake in West Pharmaceutical Services by 9.9% during the 4th quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 39,818 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $13,043,000 after purchasing an additional 3,573 shares during the period. Mackenzie Financial Corp boosted its position in shares of West Pharmaceutical Services by 9.1% in the fourth quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 7,564 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $2,478,000 after buying an additional 634 shares during the period. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in shares of West Pharmaceutical Services by 12.6% during the fourth quarter. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 1,670 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $547,000 after buying an additional 187 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH acquired a new position in West Pharmaceutical Services during the fourth quarter valued at $14,729,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.90% of the company's stock.

West Pharmaceutical Services Company Profile

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc designs, manufactures, and sells containment and delivery systems for injectable drugs and healthcare products in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates in two segments, Proprietary Products and Contract-Manufactured Products.

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