WEX (NYSE:WEX) Reaches New 52-Week High - Still a Buy?

Key Points

• WEX reached a new 52-week high of $199.75, supported by quarterly results that exceeded analyst expectations: EPS was $5.35 versus $5.08 expected, while revenue rose 14.2% year over year to $753.5 million.
• Analyst sentiment is mixed, with six Buy ratings and eight Holds producing a consensus “Hold” rating and an average price target of $183.30—below the stock’s current level. Recent targets range from $160 to $220.
• WEX authorized a $1 billion share-repurchase program covering up to 21.2% of outstanding shares, but insiders have sold 9,858 shares worth about $1.66 million over the past three months.

Shares of WEX Inc. (NYSE:WEX - Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $199.75 and last traded at $199.02, with a volume of 82640 shares. The stock had previously closed at $195.42.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts recently weighed in on the company. Mizuho lifted their price target on WEX from $170.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Friday, July 24th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their price objective on WEX from $200.00 to $210.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their target price on WEX from $180.00 to $160.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a report on Friday, June 12th. Robert W. Baird upped their price target on shares of WEX from $210.00 to $220.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Thursday, April 23rd. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut shares of WEX from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Sunday, May 24th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $183.30.

WEX Price Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 1.04, a current ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.62. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.81 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.90, a P/E/G ratio of 1.00 and a beta of 0.82. The business's 50 day simple moving average is $161.72 and its 200-day simple moving average is $156.65.

WEX (NYSE:WEX - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, July 22nd. The business services provider reported $5.35 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $5.08 by $0.27. WEX had a net margin of 12.56% and a return on equity of 43.19%. The company had revenue of $753.50 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $740.72 million. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $3.95 EPS. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 14.2% compared to the same quarter last year. WEX has set its Q3 2026 guidance at 5.450-5.650 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 19.680-20.080 EPS. On average, research analysts forecast that WEX Inc. will post 17.11 earnings per share for the current year.

WEX declared that its board has approved a share repurchase program on Thursday, May 14th that allows the company to buyback $1.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization allows the business services provider to buy up to 21.2% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are generally a sign that the company's board believes its shares are undervalued.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other WEX news, COO Carlos Carriedo sold 1,075 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $186.00, for a total transaction of $199,950.00. Following the sale, the chief operating officer owned 11,076 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,060,136. The trade was a 8.85% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Ann Elena Drew sold 3,400 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Monday, July 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $176.02, for a total transaction of $598,468.00. Following the transaction, the insider owned 7,988 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,406,047.76. This trade represents a 29.86% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last three months, insiders have sold 9,858 shares of company stock worth $1,662,835. Insiders own 1.40% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On WEX

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of WEX during the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Global Retirement Partners LLC bought a new stake in WEX during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $26,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd increased its position in WEX by 368.1% in the 3rd quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 220 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $35,000 after acquiring an additional 173 shares during the period. First Horizon Corp increased its position in WEX by 65.7% in the 4th quarter. First Horizon Corp now owns 237 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $35,000 after acquiring an additional 94 shares during the period. Finally, Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. bought a new position in shares of WEX during the second quarter valued at $41,000. 97.47% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

WEX Company Profile

WEX Inc is a global financial technology company specializing in business payment solutions for fleet, travel, and corporate payments. The company delivers software-driven platforms and card-based services that help businesses automate payment processes, manage expenses and improve operational efficiency across a range of industries, including transportation, healthcare and government.

Founded in 1983 as Wright Express in Portland, Maine, the company began by offering fuel card services to trucking fleets.

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