Zacks Research Issues Optimistic Estimate for Itron Earnings

Key Points

• Zacks Research raised its Itron EPS forecasts, including Q3 2026 to $1.55 from $1.52 and FY2026 to $6.35 from $5.97, while maintaining a Hold rating.
• Itron’s latest quarter beat earnings expectations, reporting $1.59 EPS versus the $1.29 consensus, but revenue fell 7.2% year over year to $562.9 million and slightly missed estimates.
• Analyst sentiment is broadly positive, with a Moderate Buy consensus and an average price target of $131.33—about 27% above the recent share price—although the stock recently declined 4.4%.

Itron, Inc. (NASDAQ:ITRI - Free Report) - Stock analysts at Zacks Research lifted their Q3 2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of Itron in a research note issued on Tuesday, August 18th. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the scientific and technical instruments company will post earnings per share of $1.55 for the quarter, up from their previous forecast of $1.52. Zacks Research currently has a "Hold" rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for Itron's current full-year earnings is $6.43 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Itron's Q4 2026 earnings at $1.72 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $6.35 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $1.49 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $1.50 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $5.90 EPS, Q1 2028 earnings at $1.78 EPS and Q2 2028 earnings at $1.87 EPS.

A number of other research firms also recently issued reports on ITRI. TD Cowen lowered their price objective on shares of Itron from $145.00 to $130.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 29th. Weiss Ratings reissued a "hold (c)" rating on shares of Itron in a research report on Wednesday, August 5th. Needham & Company LLC upped their target price on Itron from $116.00 to $128.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 29th. Roth Capital reissued a "buy" rating and issued a $136.00 price objective on shares of Itron in a report on Wednesday, April 29th. Finally, Robert W. Baird set a $125.00 target price on shares of Itron in a research note on Wednesday, July 29th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $131.33.

Itron Trading Down 4.4%

NASDAQ ITRI opened at $96.18 on Wednesday. Itron has a 52 week low of $77.77 and a 52 week high of $142.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.96, a quick ratio of 2.29 and a current ratio of 2.75. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $89.39 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $90.12. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.06, a PEG ratio of 0.83 and a beta of 1.30.

Itron (NASDAQ:ITRI - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 28th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.59 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.29 by $0.30. Itron had a return on equity of 19.26% and a net margin of 11.90%.The business had revenue of $562.90 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $566.34 million. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.62 earnings per share. Itron's quarterly revenue was down 7.2% on a year-over-year basis. Itron has set its Q3 2026 guidance at 1.500-1.600 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 6.300-6.500 EPS.

Institutional Trading of Itron

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of ITRI. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Itron during the 4th quarter worth approximately $63,990,000. Jupiter Topco LLC acquired a new position in Itron in the 2nd quarter valued at $42,466,000. Soros Fund Management LLC bought a new position in Itron during the 4th quarter worth $34,843,000. Millennium Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Itron by 269.3% during the fourth quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 506,867 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock worth $47,068,000 after buying an additional 369,617 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Legal & General Group Plc bought a new stake in shares of Itron in the second quarter valued at about $29,108,000. Institutional investors own 96.19% of the company's stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at Itron

In other news, SVP John F. Marcolini sold 322 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $84.37, for a total value of $27,167.14. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 24,689 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,083,010.93. This trade represents a 1.29% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards. Also, SVP Donald L. Reeves III sold 319 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $84.37, for a total value of $26,914.03. Following the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 29,100 shares in the company, valued at $2,455,167. The trade was a 1.08% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards. Insiders have sold 2,290 shares of company stock worth $192,355 over the last 90 days. Company insiders own 1.77% of the company's stock.

Trending Headlines about Itron

Here are the key news stories impacting Itron this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks upgraded ITRI’s status to Rank #1 (Strong Buy) on August 19 and included the company on its strong-buy and best-value stock lists. The upgrade reflects improving earnings-estimate trends and could support investor demand. New Strong Buy Stocks for August 19th
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research raised its FY2026 EPS forecast to $6.35 from $5.97, while increasing estimates for Q3 2026 to $1.55, Q4 2026 to $1.72, Q1 2027 to $1.49, Q3 2027 to $1.50, and FY2027 to $5.90. These revisions suggest stronger expected profitability across several upcoming periods. Itron analyst estimate revisions
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts’ average price target reportedly implies approximately 27% upside from the recent share price, although price targets are not reliable guarantees. Itron also recently exceeded quarterly EPS expectations, reporting $1.59 versus the $1.29 consensus estimate. Wall Street analysts price target for Itron
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks Research trimmed its Q2 2028 EPS estimate to $1.87 from $1.97. The reduction is relatively distant but indicates that the positive revisions are not uniform. Zacks maintains a Hold rating, while the broader analyst view is described as Moderate Buy.
• Negative Sentiment: Itron’s latest quarter showed revenue of $562.9 million, slightly below estimates and down 7.2% year over year. The stock also recently closed at $96.30 after a 4.4% decline, underscoring continued volatility despite the improved earnings outlook. Itron stock decline and GF Value analysis

Itron Company Profile

Itron, Inc NASDAQ: ITRI is a global technology company that develops innovative solutions to measure, manage and analyze the use of energy and water. Its comprehensive portfolio includes smart meters, data collection devices, communication networks and advanced software applications designed to optimize utility operations and foster sustainable resource management. The company's offerings enable utilities and cities to accurately monitor consumption patterns, streamline billing processes and improve grid reliability.

Itron's product lineup spans a range of hardware and software solutions, from residential and commercial smart meters to meter data management systems (MDMS), networked communication platforms and analytics tools.

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.

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