Azenta (NASDAQ:AZTA) Shares Down 8.2% – Here’s Why

Shares of Azenta, Inc. (NASDAQ:AZTA) traded down 8.2% on Thursday. The stock traded as low as $43.82 and last traded at $44.9030. Approximately 349,021 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 63% from the average session volume of 943,281 shares. The stock had previously closed at $48.90.

Latest Azenta News

Investors following AZTA have been watching these news items:

• Positive Sentiment: Analysts raised their targets and maintained Buy ratings. Needham lifted its target to $57 from $37; Jefferies raised its target to $52 from $44. These upgrades reflect increased optimism after the results and outlook. Needham raises Azenta price target
• Positive Sentiment: Share repurchases and cash provide additional support. Azenta repurchased 4.4 million shares for $118.2 million in FY2026 and ended September with about $506 million in cash and marketable securities. Azenta buybacks and financial position
• Negative Sentiment: A securities-related investigation presents a risk. Rosen Law Firm said it is investigating potential claims tied to allegations that Azenta may have provided materially misleading business information. This is an investigation, not a finding of wrongdoing. Rosen Law Firm investigation notice

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Wall Street Zen lowered Azenta from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Sunday, October 18th. Weiss Ratings raised shares of Azenta from a “sell (e+)” rating to a “sell (d-)” rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 26th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their target price on shares of Azenta from $44.00 to $52.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Needham & Company LLC upped their price target on shares of Azenta from $37.00 to $57.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $47.60.

Azenta Trading Down 7.8%

The business has a fifty day moving average of $35.98 and a 200-day moving average of $28.51. The company has a market cap of $1.98 billion, a PE ratio of -12.43 and a beta of 1.47.

Azenta (NASDAQ:AZTA) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 10th. The company reported $0.28 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.11 by $0.17. The business had revenue of $167.09 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $160.16 million. Azenta had a positive return on equity of 1.37% and a negative net margin of 26.86%.

Institutional Trading of Azenta

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. First Trust Advisors LP boosted its holdings in Azenta by 69.8% in the third quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 81,285 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,836,000 after acquiring an additional 33,408 shares in the last quarter. GW&K Investment Management LLC increased its position in Azenta by 0.4% during the 3rd quarter. GW&K Investment Management LLC now owns 992,616 shares of the company’s stock valued at $34,633,000 after purchasing an additional 4,187 shares during the period. Boston Partners raised its holdings in Azenta by 22.6% in the 3rd quarter. Boston Partners now owns 11,996 shares of the company’s stock worth $419,000 after purchasing an additional 2,215 shares in the last quarter. Voya Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in Azenta by 56.9% in the 3rd quarter. Voya Investment Management LLC now owns 26,341 shares of the company’s stock worth $919,000 after purchasing an additional 9,549 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Global Retirement Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of Azenta by 82.3% in the 3rd quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 771 shares of the company’s stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 348 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 99.08% of the company’s stock.

Azenta Company Profile

Azenta, Inc. provides products and services for life sciences research and the management of biological samples. Its offerings include automated sample storage systems, laboratory automation equipment, consumables, and software used to track and manage samples. The company also provides genomic services through GENEWIZ, including sequencing and other genetic analysis services for researchers and organizations in the life sciences and pharmaceutical industries. Azenta was formed in 2021 when Brooks Automation separated its life sciences business and adopted the Azenta name.