Dole (NYSE:DOLE) Shares Gap Down – Should You Sell?

Dole PLC (NYSE:DOLE) shares gapped down prior to trading on Wednesday . The stock had previously closed at $15.99, but opened at $14.90. Dole shares last traded at $15.0340, with a volume of 166,183 shares changing hands.

Trending Headlines about Dole

Here are the key news stories impacting Dole this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q4 results beat revenue and EPS estimates: revenue ~$2.37B (vs. $2.32B est.), EPS $0.14 vs. $0.12 est., revenue +9.2% YoY — evidence of top-line momentum and better-than-expected operational performance. Dole beats revenue estimates with flat Q4 earnings
• Positive Sentiment: Management lifted its outlook alongside Q4 results and highlighted adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income beats, signaling confidence in earnings trajectory and cash generation. Fresh produce firm Dole lifts outlook as quarterly revenue climbs
• Positive Sentiment: Announced agreement to sell port assets in Ecuador — a potential balance-sheet / liquidity positive that could reduce capital intensity and free cash for debt reduction or reinvestment. Dole plc Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Financial Results
• Neutral Sentiment: Product expansion: DOLE WHIP® is rolling into new retail formats and flavors — supports brand/retail growth but is likely a gradual revenue contributor rather than an immediate margin driver. DOLE WHIP® EXPANDS INTO NEW RETAIL FORMATS AND FLAVORS
• Neutral Sentiment: Company provided operational reassurances after heavy rain (no Wahiawa reservoir dam breach) — limits near-term disruption risk to Hawaii operations. Dole assures no Wahiawa Reservoir Dam breach after heavy rain
• Negative Sentiment: Tiny net income and narrow margins: reported net income was $6.0M and net margin ~0.17%, and EPS was slightly below prior-year quarter ($0.16 → $0.14). Profitability remains pressured, which can limit valuation upside until margin improvement is sustained. Dole plc Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Financial Results

Analysts Set New Price Targets

DOLE has been the topic of several analyst reports. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Dole from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday, December 13th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c-)” rating on shares of Dole in a report on Monday, December 29th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $16.00.

Dole Price Performance

The firm has a market cap of $1.48 billion, a PE ratio of 103.53, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.93 and a beta of 0.64. The company has a current ratio of 1.21, a quick ratio of 0.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $15.33 and a 200 day moving average price of $14.34.

Dole (NYSE:DOLE) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 25th. The company reported $0.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.12 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $2.37 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.32 billion. Dole had a return on equity of 7.98% and a net margin of 0.17%.Dole’s revenue was up 9.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.16 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Dole PLC will post 1.19 EPS for the current year.

Dole declared that its board has initiated a stock repurchase program on Monday, November 10th that permits the company to buyback $100.00 million in shares. This buyback authorization permits the company to reacquire up to 8.3% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are often a sign that the company’s leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Dole

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Signaturefd LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Dole by 190.2% in the fourth quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 1,680 shares of the company’s stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 1,101 shares in the last quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. raised its position in shares of Dole by 120.8% during the 2nd quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 1,835 shares of the company’s stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 1,004 shares during the last quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC purchased a new stake in Dole in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $53,000. Westfuller Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Dole during the 3rd quarter valued at $49,000. Finally, NewEdge Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Dole by 269.0% during the 2nd quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 3,716 shares of the company’s stock valued at $52,000 after buying an additional 2,709 shares during the last quarter.

About Dole

Dole plc is a global producer, marketer and distributor of fresh fruits and vegetables. The company’s product range includes bananas, pineapples, berries, grapes, salads and a variety of other fresh and packaged produce, sold under the Dole brand and through private-label arrangements. Dole’s operations span the full fresh-produce value chain, from farming and sourcing to packing, ripening, cold‑chain logistics and wholesale and retail distribution, supporting both retail grocery and foodservice customers.

The company traces its commercial heritage to the early 20th century Hawaiian pineapple business founded by James Dole and has evolved through subsequent corporate restructurings and combinations.