Hexcel Corporation (NYSE:HXL) Sees Significant Increase in Short Interest

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

Hexcel Price Performance

Shares of Hexcel stock traded down $2.16 during trading on Thursday, hitting $89.46. 266,019 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,284,542. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $84.05 and its 200-day moving average is $73.49. The stock has a market cap of $6.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 64.83, a PEG ratio of 1.41 and a beta of 1.01. Hexcel has a 52 week low of $45.28 and a 52 week high of $95.22. The company has a quick ratio of 1.25, a current ratio of 2.26 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.79.

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

Hexcel Increases Dividend

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their target price on shares of Hexcel from $92.00 to $95.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, January 30th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Hexcel from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday. Weiss Ratings restated a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Hexcel in a research note on Thursday, January 22nd. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price target on Hexcel from $67.00 to $75.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 20th. Finally, Truist Financial set a $94.00 price objective on shares of Hexcel in a research report on Friday, January 30th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, Hexcel presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $82.17.

Insider Activity at Hexcel

In related news, insider Amy S. Evans sold 1,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $92.80, for a total transaction of $139,200.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 1,979 shares in the company, valued at approximately $183,651.20. This trade represents a 43.12% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. 1.39% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of HXL. Alliancebernstein L.P. lifted its stake in shares of Hexcel by 122.7% in the 3rd quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 4,849,941 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $304,091,000 after acquiring an additional 2,671,682 shares during the last quarter. Alyeska Investment Group L.P. bought a new stake in Hexcel in the third quarter valued at approximately $123,233,000. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Hexcel by 103.8% during the second quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 2,759,673 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $155,894,000 after purchasing an additional 1,405,538 shares during the period. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Hexcel during the second quarter valued at approximately $57,697,000. Finally, Brandes Investment Partners LP grew its holdings in shares of Hexcel by 49.1% in the second quarter. Brandes Investment Partners LP now owns 2,440,242 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $137,850,000 after purchasing an additional 803,123 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 95.47% of the company’s stock.

About Hexcel

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.