Hexcel Corp's shares rose 9.7% after the company reported Q4 earnings that exceeded expectations, reaching a 52-week high.
The company reported Q4 sales of $491 million, surpassing analyst expectations of $482 million, with adjusted earnings per share at $0.52, exceeding the consensus forecast of $0.49. Additionally, Hexcel's net income surged from $5.8 million last year to $46.4 million, reflecting a notable improvement in profitability amid the recovery in the commercial aerospace market. The board also approved a 6% increase in the quarterly dividend to $0.18 per share, signaling an optimistic outlook for future growth.
This strong performance not only boosts investor confidence but also positions Hexcel favorably for continued growth in the aerospace materials sector, especially with a forecasted sales range of $2.0 billion to $2.1 billion for 2026.
Wall Street analysts forecast HXL stock price to fall over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for HXL is 77.29 USD with a low forecast of 60.00 USD and a high forecast of 90.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
7 Analyst Rating
Wall Street analysts forecast HXL stock price to fall over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for HXL is 77.29 USD with a low forecast of 60.00 USD and a high forecast of 90.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
3 Buy
2 Hold
2 Sell
Hold
Current: 80.230
Low
60.00
Averages
77.29
High
90.00
Current: 80.230
Low
60.00
Averages
77.29
High
90.00
Goldman Sachs
Noah Poponak
Neutral
maintain
$67 -> $75
2026-01-20
Reason
Goldman Sachs
Noah Poponak
Price Target
$67 -> $75
AI Analysis
2026-01-20
maintain
Neutral
Reason
Goldman Sachs analyst Noah Poponak raised the firm's price target on Hexcel to $75 from $67 and keeps a Neutral rating on the shares. The firm's Q4 Aerospace & Defense preview highlights favorable aerospace OE conditions, with supply below demand, while aftermarket growth outpaces global ASMs with strong pricing supporting margins, the analyst tells investors in a research note. Business jet demand remains solid amid tight supply, defense hardware growth is improving though margins face risk from shifting contracts, defense tech momentum emphasizes faster, commercial-style providers, and federal IT obligations continue under pressure, the firm says.
Truist
Buy
maintain
$83 -> $90
2026-01-09
Reason
Truist
Price Target
$83 -> $90
2026-01-09
maintain
Buy
Reason
Truist raised the firm's price target on Hexcel to $90 from $83 and keeps a Buy rating on the shares. Despite a strong 2025, the Aerospace & Defense sector remains broadly bullish for 2026, with rising aircraft production and sustained aftermarket demand supporting both OE and AM segments, the analyst tells investors in a research note. Defense may see fewer catalysts, but recapitalization, geopolitical tensions, and replenishment needs should sustain demand, making stock selection critical amid elevated valuations, particularly for SMID defense tech names, the firm adds.
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Morgan Stanley
Underweight
maintain
$55 -> $67
2025-10-29
Reason
Morgan Stanley
Price Target
$55 -> $67
2025-10-29
maintain
Underweight
Reason
Morgan Stanley raised the firm's price target on Hexcel to $67 from $55 and keeps an Underweight rating on the shares. The firm increased its target as it rolls forward its valuation year to 2027, but notes that it remains below consensus on earnings estimates and continues to see potential downside for earnings revisions.
UBS
Buy
maintain
$81 -> $87
2025-10-24
Reason
UBS
Price Target
$81 -> $87
2025-10-24
maintain
Buy
Reason
UBS raised the firm's price target on Hexcel to $87 from $81 and keeps a Buy rating on the shares post the Q3 report. With the company's 2025 guidance now cut, easy compares in 2026, and the Spirit Aero acquisition near closing, UBS is confident the worst is behind Hexcel and the narrative "will begin to shift to widebody growth," the analyst tells investors in a research note.
About HXL
Hexcel Corporation is engaged in providing advanced lightweight composites technology. The Company’s product range includes carbon fiber, specialty reinforcements, prepregs and other fiber-reinforced matrix materials, honeycomb, resins, engineered core and composite structures for use in commercial aerospace, space and defense, and industrial applications. The Company operates through two segments: Composite Materials and Engineered Products. The Composite Materials segment comprises its carbon fiber, specialty reinforcements, resin systems, prepregs and other fiber-reinforced matrix materials, and honeycomb core product lines and pultruded profiles. The Engineered Products segment comprises lightweight high strength composite structures, radio frequency/electromagnetic interference (RF/EMI) and microwave absorbing materials, engineered core and specialty machined honeycomb products with added functionality and thermoplastic additive manufacturing.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
