Zacks Research Analysts Increase Earnings Estimates for WST

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE:WST) – Investment analysts at Zacks Research lifted their Q4 2027 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of West Pharmaceutical Services in a report released on Thursday, January 22nd. Zacks Research analyst Team now anticipates that the medical instruments supplier will post earnings per share of $2.26 for the quarter, up from their previous estimate of $2.20. Zacks Research has a “Strong-Buy” rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for West Pharmaceutical Services’ current full-year earnings is $6.62 per share.

Several other analysts have also commented on WST. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on shares of West Pharmaceutical Services in a research report on Monday, December 1st. They set an “equal weight” rating and a $285.00 price target on the stock. Wall Street Zen raised West Pharmaceutical Services from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday, December 20th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c)” rating on shares of West Pharmaceutical Services in a research report on Friday, January 9th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $345.00 price objective on West Pharmaceutical Services and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, October 24th. Finally, UBS Group increased their price objective on shares of West Pharmaceutical Services from $320.00 to $355.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, October 24th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have given a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $335.78.

West Pharmaceutical Services Stock Up 1.9%

Shares of WST stock opened at $241.18 on Monday. West Pharmaceutical Services has a twelve month low of $187.43 and a twelve month high of $348.90. The stock has a market cap of $17.35 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.73, a P/E/G ratio of 3.26 and a beta of 1.17. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $270.31 and a 200 day moving average of $261.20. The company has a current ratio of 2.87, a quick ratio of 2.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On West Pharmaceutical Services

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. CYBER HORNET ETFs LLC purchased a new position in West Pharmaceutical Services during the second quarter worth about $25,000. Private Trust Co. NA raised its position in West Pharmaceutical Services by 156.4% in the fourth quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 100 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 61 shares during the period. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC lifted its position in shares of West Pharmaceutical Services by 193.9% during the second quarter. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 144 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 95 shares in the last quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. boosted its stake in shares of West Pharmaceutical Services by 1,842.9% in the third quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. now owns 136 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 129 shares during the period. Finally, CVA Family Office LLC boosted its stake in shares of West Pharmaceutical Services by 573.3% in the second quarter. CVA Family Office LLC now owns 202 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $44,000 after purchasing an additional 172 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 93.90% of the company’s stock.

West Pharmaceutical Services Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, February 4th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, January 28th will be given a dividend of $0.22 per share. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, January 28th. West Pharmaceutical Services’s payout ratio is presently 13.04%.

About West Pharmaceutical Services

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc is a global developer and manufacturer of components, systems and services that enable the containment and delivery of injectable drugs. The company focuses on high-quality packaging and delivery solutions for the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, producing primary drug packaging components and specialized drug delivery devices used for vaccines, biologics and other injectable therapies. West is known for its elastomeric closures, seals and polymer components that maintain sterility and compatibility with sensitive drug formulations.

In addition to component manufacturing, West provides engineered delivery systems and support services across the product lifecycle.