Hexcel Corporation (NYSE:HXL) Short Interest Up 22.6% in February

Hexcel Corporation (NYSE:HXL) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest in February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 6,188,764 shares, a growth of 22.6% from the January 29th total of 5,048,195 shares. Currently, 8.3% of the company’s stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 1,217,563 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 5.1 days. Based on an average daily volume of 1,217,563 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 5.1 days. Currently, 8.3% of the company’s stock are sold short.

Hexcel Stock Performance

Shares of HXL stock traded down $2.53 on Thursday, hitting $89.09. 894,769 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,298,882. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $84.05 and its two-hundred day moving average is $73.49. Hexcel has a one year low of $45.28 and a one year high of $95.22. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.76 billion, a PE ratio of 64.56, a P/E/G ratio of 1.41 and a beta of 1.01. The company has a current ratio of 2.26, a quick ratio of 1.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.79.

Hexcel (NYSE:HXL) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 28th. The aerospace company reported $0.52 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.50 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $491.30 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $484.46 million. Hexcel had a net margin of 5.78% and a return on equity of 9.54%. The company’s revenue was up 3.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.52 earnings per share. Hexcel has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.100-2.300 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Hexcel will post 2.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hexcel Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, February 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 9th were given a $0.18 dividend. This represents a $0.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.8%. This is a boost from Hexcel’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.17. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 9th. Hexcel’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 52.17%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, insider Amy S. Evans sold 1,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $92.80, for a total value of $139,200.00. Following the transaction, the insider owned 1,979 shares in the company, valued at $183,651.20. This trade represents a 43.12% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 1.39% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Hexcel

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in HXL. New York State Common Retirement Fund increased its holdings in Hexcel by 25.8% during the 3rd quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund now owns 421,980 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $26,458,000 after purchasing an additional 86,625 shares during the period. Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH lifted its holdings in Hexcel by 12.6% in the 3rd quarter. Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH now owns 403,881 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $25,323,000 after buying an additional 45,061 shares during the period. Madison Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Hexcel in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $1,410,000. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC increased its stake in shares of Hexcel by 7.3% during the third quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 126,794 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $7,950,000 after buying an additional 8,661 shares during the period. Finally, AXQ Capital LP raised its holdings in shares of Hexcel by 101.1% during the second quarter. AXQ Capital LP now owns 16,446 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $929,000 after acquiring an additional 8,269 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 95.47% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have recently issued reports on HXL. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their target price on Hexcel from $92.00 to $95.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, January 30th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price objective on Hexcel from $67.00 to $75.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 20th. Jefferies Financial Group raised their target price on Hexcel from $75.00 to $90.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Sunday, February 1st. Morgan Stanley upgraded Hexcel from an “underweight” rating to an “equal weight” rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $67.00 to $90.00 in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Finally, UBS Group set a $99.00 price target on shares of Hexcel in a research report on Friday, January 30th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Hexcel presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $82.17.

Hexcel Company Profile

Hexcel Corporation is a global leader in advanced composite materials for aerospace and industrial applications. The company specializes in the development and manufacture of lightweight, high-performance products that enhance fuel efficiency, durability and structural strength. Its offerings are critical to the aerospace sector, where demand for lighter, more efficient aircraft drives continuous innovation in materials.

Hexcel’s product portfolio encompasses carbon fiber reinforcements, pre-impregnated composites (prepregs), honeycomb core, engineered adhesives and structural film adhesives.