Hexcel (NYSE:HXL) Reaches New 12-Month High After Better-Than-Expected Earnings

Hexcel Corporation (NYSE:HXL)’s stock price hit a new 52-week high on Thursday following a better than expected earnings announcement. The stock traded as high as $88.00 and last traded at $83.1040, with a volume of 1283392 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $80.23.

The aerospace company reported $0.52 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.50 by $0.02. Hexcel had a return on equity of 9.25% and a net margin of 3.67%.The company had revenue of $491.30 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $484.46 million. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $0.52 EPS. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 3.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Hexcel has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.100-2.300 EPS.

Hexcel Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, February 17th. Investors of record on Monday, February 9th will be issued a dividend of $0.18 per share. This represents a $0.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.9%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, February 9th. This is a boost from Hexcel’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.17. Hexcel’s payout ratio is currently 80.00%.

Hexcel News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Hexcel this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q4 earnings beat — Hexcel reported Q4 EPS above consensus and revenue topped estimates, a primary catalyst for the rally. Hexcel shares rise as Q4 earnings beat estimates
• Positive Sentiment: Dividend increase — The board raised the quarterly dividend to $0.18/share (a 5.9% increase), signaling confidence in cash returns to shareholders. Hexcel Declares Quarterly Dividend
• Positive Sentiment: Margin and profit recovery — Management reported margin recovery and notable year-over-year gains in operating profit and net income, supporting improvement in fundamental performance. Hexcel Corporation (HXL) Releases Q4 2025 Earnings
• Neutral Sentiment: FY2026 guidance set — Hexcel provided FY2026 EPS guidance of $2.10–$2.30 and revenue guidance roughly $2.0–$2.1B; EPS range is close to consensus but revenue guidance is slightly under some Street estimates, so guidance is mildly mixed. Hexcel: Q4 Earnings Snapshot
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst positioning — Multiple buy/outperform ratings and mixed price targets (median near $80) suggest positive analyst interest but varied upside expectations. Hexcel posts soft 2025 results but upbeat 2026 outlook
• Negative Sentiment: Cash and cash flow declined — Quarterly reporting showed a meaningful drop in cash and lower operating cash flow versus prior year, a potential short-term liquidity concern to watch. Hexcel Corporation (HXL) Releases Q4 2025 Earnings
• Negative Sentiment: Insider selling noted — Recent filings show insider sales (no recent purchases), which some investors may view as a modest negative signal. Hexcel Corporation (HXL) Releases Q4 2025 Earnings

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a “hold” rating and issued a $65.00 price target on shares of Hexcel in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Citigroup restated a “reduce” rating on shares of Hexcel in a research note on Thursday, October 23rd. UBS Group upped their price target on Hexcel from $87.00 to $96.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 15th. Truist Financial lifted their target price on shares of Hexcel from $75.00 to $83.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, October 24th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price objective on Hexcel from $70.00 to $83.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, October 24th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $74.40.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Hexcel

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Alliancebernstein L.P. grew its stake in Hexcel by 122.7% in the third quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 4,849,941 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $304,091,000 after purchasing an additional 2,671,682 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp grew its stake in Hexcel by 4.3% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 4,690,924 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $264,990,000 after purchasing an additional 191,649 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its position in shares of Hexcel by 103.8% during the 2nd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 2,759,673 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $155,894,000 after purchasing an additional 1,405,538 shares in the last quarter. Brandes Investment Partners LP grew its position in Hexcel by 49.1% in the 2nd quarter. Brandes Investment Partners LP now owns 2,440,242 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $137,850,000 after purchasing an additional 803,123 shares during the period. Finally, Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA grew its holdings in Hexcel by 23.0% during the fourth quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 2,289,145 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $169,168,000 after buying an additional 428,541 shares in the last quarter. 95.47% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Hexcel Stock Up 5.5%

The company has a market capitalization of $6.74 billion, a PE ratio of 97.77, a P/E/G ratio of 2.13 and a beta of 1.08. The company has a current ratio of 2.75, a quick ratio of 1.50 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $77.30 and its two-hundred day moving average is $68.70.

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.