Short Interest in Kennametal Inc. (NYSE:KMT) Declines By 12.3%

Kennametal Inc. (NYSE:KMT) was the recipient of a large decline in short interest in the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totaling 2,318,339 shares, a decline of 12.3% from the December 31st total of 2,642,537 shares. Approximately 3.1% of the company’s shares are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,156,324 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.0 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,156,324 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.0 days. Approximately 3.1% of the company’s shares are sold short.

Kennametal Stock Up 7.4%

Shares of NYSE:KMT opened at $38.42 on Thursday. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $30.79 and its 200 day moving average price is $25.60. The stock has a market cap of $2.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.49, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.24 and a beta of 1.50. Kennametal has a fifty-two week low of $17.30 and a fifty-two week high of $40.90. The company has a quick ratio of 1.18, a current ratio of 2.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45.

Kennametal (NYSE:KMT) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 4th. The industrial products company reported $0.47 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.35 by $0.12. Kennametal had a net margin of 4.76% and a return on equity of 8.35%. The company had revenue of $529.53 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $514.70 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.25 EPS. The firm’s revenue was up 9.9% on a year-over-year basis. Kennametal has set its Q3 2026 guidance at 0.500-0.600 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 2.050-2.450 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Kennametal will post 1.17 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Kennametal Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, February 24th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 10th will be issued a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 10th. Kennametal’s dividend payout ratio is 65.57%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have weighed in on KMT. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on Kennametal from $27.00 to $29.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Monday, January 12th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Kennametal from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, November 29th. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a “sell” rating and issued a $28.00 price objective on shares of Kennametal in a report on Tuesday, January 27th. Zacks Research raised shares of Kennametal from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 12th. Finally, Barclays raised their price target on shares of Kennametal from $25.00 to $28.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $29.67.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Brandes Investment Partners LP raised its holdings in Kennametal by 65.9% during the second quarter. Brandes Investment Partners LP now owns 8,154,119 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $187,219,000 after purchasing an additional 3,238,093 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Kennametal by 44.0% in the 3rd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 4,221,461 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $88,355,000 after buying an additional 1,289,624 shares in the last quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership grew its position in shares of Kennametal by 63.2% in the 2nd quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 1,381,379 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $31,716,000 after buying an additional 534,978 shares during the last quarter. Apollo Management Holdings L.P. acquired a new stake in Kennametal during the 2nd quarter worth $8,794,000. Finally, Russell Investments Group Ltd. boosted its stake in Kennametal by 828.9% in the second quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 414,132 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $9,509,000 after acquiring an additional 369,548 shares in the last quarter.

Kennametal News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Kennametal this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q2 beat and strong underlying performance: Kennametal reported adjusted EPS of $0.47 (vs. consensus ~$0.35) and revenue of ~$529.5M, up ~9.9% year‑over‑year; adjusted operating income rose materially year‑over‑year. Kennametal Announces Fiscal 2026 Second Quarter Results
• Positive Sentiment: Management raised guidance: FY‑2026 adjusted EPS was increased to $2.05–$2.45 (well above prior consensus) and revenue guidance was raised to roughly $2.2–$2.3B — a clear catalyst for multiple expansion. Kennametal Inc (KMT) Q2 2026 Earnings Call Highlights: Strong Organic Growth and Improved …
• Positive Sentiment: Market reaction / coverage: Several outlets note the sales surprise and upgraded outlook, which is supporting buy interest. Kennametal shares climb after Q2 beat and upgraded full-year guidance
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst writeups and metrics breakdowns are circulating (Zacks, MarketBeat), summarizing the beat and key ratios for investors doing due diligence. Kennametal (KMT) Surpasses Q2 Earnings and Revenue Estimates
• Neutral Sentiment: Investor commentary on capital allocation — including dividend consistency vs. investment — is being discussed; useful for longer‑term income investors but less relevant to the near‑term price move. Does Kennametal’s (KMT) Steady Dividend and Revenue Outlook Reveal Its True Capital Allocation Priorities?
• Negative Sentiment: One caution: management said part of the quarter’s volume came from customer “buy‑ahead” tied to tungsten pricing. That pull‑forward can create tougher comparisons in subsequent quarters if demand normalizes. Kennametal Announces Fiscal 2026 Second Quarter Results

About Kennametal

Kennametal Inc is a global industrial technology company that designs and manufactures advanced materials, tooling systems, and engineered components for a range of demanding applications. Its solutions support precision metalworking, earthmoving, and wear-resistant environments, catering to customers seeking enhanced productivity, longer tool life, and reduced operating costs.

The company’s product portfolio spans indexable cutting tools, solid round tools, tool holders, metalworking fluid systems, wear parts, ceramics and composites, and custom-engineered components.