Avient Corporation (NYSE:AVNT) Short Interest Update

Avient Corporation (NYSE:AVNT) was the target of a significant increase in short interest in March. As of March 13th, there was short interest totaling 3,075,230 shares, an increase of 26.1% from the February 26th total of 2,439,569 shares. Approximately 3.4% of the company’s stock are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 681,946 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 4.5 days.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have commented on AVNT shares. Zacks Research upgraded Avient from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, December 5th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Avient from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, February 21st. Robert W. Baird set a $46.00 target price on shares of Avient in a report on Friday, February 13th. Morgan Stanley set a $45.00 target price on shares of Avient in a research report on Friday, February 13th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of Avient from $42.00 to $47.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, February 13th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $47.00.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd bought a new position in Avient during the third quarter worth $29,000. TD Private Client Wealth LLC raised its position in shares of Avient by 342.3% in the fourth quarter. TD Private Client Wealth LLC now owns 942 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 729 shares during the period. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust lifted its stake in shares of Avient by 54.2% during the 3rd quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 967 shares of the company’s stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 340 shares during the last quarter. Torren Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Avient during the 4th quarter worth about $39,000. Finally, Danske Bank A S bought a new stake in shares of Avient during the 3rd quarter worth about $40,000. 95.48% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Avient Stock Down 0.3%

Shares of NYSE AVNT traded down $0.10 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $35.45. The company had a trading volume of 231,084 shares, compared to its average volume of 878,540. Avient has a 1-year low of $27.48 and a 1-year high of $44.85. The company has a quick ratio of 1.22, a current ratio of 1.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $37.95 and its 200-day moving average is $34.00. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.25 billion, a P/E ratio of 39.92, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.08 and a beta of 1.40.

Avient (NYSE:AVNT) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 12th. The company reported $0.56 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.55 by $0.01. Avient had a net margin of 2.51% and a return on equity of 10.95%. The firm had revenue of $760.60 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $750.19 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.49 earnings per share. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 1.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Avient has set its Q1 2026 guidance at 0.810-0.810 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 2.930-3.170 EPS. On average, analysts expect that Avient will post 2.85 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Avient Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 3rd. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 17th will be paid a $0.275 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 17th. This represents a $1.10 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.1%. Avient’s dividend payout ratio is currently 123.60%.

Avient Company Profile

Avient Corporation (NYSE: AVNT) is a global provider of specialized and sustainable polymer materials, delivering color, additive and engineered solutions to a wide range of industries. The company’s core offerings include masterbatches, colorant systems, compounds and resins designed to enhance performance, aesthetics and environmental sustainability. Avient serves markets such as packaging, automotive, consumer goods, healthcare, electronics, and agriculture, tailoring products to meet stringent regulatory and end-use requirements.

Formed through a corporate rebranding in 2020 following the divestiture of PolyOne’s specialty businesses, Avient traces its heritage to a legacy of polymer innovation spanning decades.