Advisors Asset Management Inc. Raises Stock Holdings in Hexcel Co. (NYSE:HXL)

Advisors Asset Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Hexcel Co. (NYSE:HXL) by 8.8% in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 37,703 shares of the aerospace company’s stock after acquiring an additional 3,046 shares during the period. Advisors Asset Management Inc.’s holdings in Hexcel were worth $2,364,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the business. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans grew its holdings in shares of Hexcel by 249.6% during the fourth quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 815,658 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $51,142,000 after purchasing an additional 582,353 shares in the last quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Hexcel by 28.1% during the fourth quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC now owns 251,363 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $15,760,000 after purchasing an additional 55,134 shares in the last quarter. Brandes Investment Partners LP grew its holdings in shares of Hexcel by 99.6% during the fourth quarter. Brandes Investment Partners LP now owns 1,304,669 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $81,803,000 after purchasing an additional 651,062 shares in the last quarter. Aviso Financial Inc. purchased a new stake in Hexcel in the fourth quarter worth approximately $851,000. Finally, HighTower Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Hexcel by 1.8% in the fourth quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 19,069 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $1,196,000 after buying an additional 339 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 95.47% of the company’s stock.

Hexcel Price Performance

Shares of Hexcel stock opened at $55.80 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.20, a current ratio of 2.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46. The company has a market cap of $4.53 billion, a PE ratio of 35.09, a P/E/G ratio of 1.72 and a beta of 1.30. The business has a 50 day moving average of $63.09 and a 200 day moving average of $62.25. Hexcel Co. has a 52 week low of $55.25 and a 52 week high of $73.58.

Hexcel (NYSE:HXL) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, January 22nd. The aerospace company reported $0.52 EPS for the quarter, meeting analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.52. Hexcel had a return on equity of 10.66% and a net margin of 6.94%. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Hexcel Co. will post 2.14 earnings per share for the current year.

Hexcel Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 14th. Investors of record on Friday, February 7th were issued a dividend of $0.17 per share. This represents a $0.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.22%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 7th. This is an increase from Hexcel’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.15. Hexcel’s dividend payout ratio is currently 42.77%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have issued reports on the company. StockNews.com raised Hexcel from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, March 17th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on Hexcel from $74.00 to $82.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, January 24th. TD Cowen raised Hexcel to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, February 24th. Truist Financial upped their target price on Hexcel from $76.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, January 24th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on Hexcel from $81.00 to $87.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, January 24th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $73.09.

Hexcel Profile

Hexcel Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets carbon fibers, structural reinforcements, honeycomb structures, resins, and composite materials and parts for use in commercial aerospace, space and defense, and industrial applications. It operates through two segments, Composite Materials and Engineered Products.