International Flavors & Fragrances (NYSE:IFF) Raised to “Strong-Buy” at Zacks Research

International Flavors & Fragrances (NYSE:IFF) was upgraded by equities research analysts at Zacks Research from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note issued on Tuesday, Zacks reports. Zacks Research also issued estimates for International Flavors & Fragrances’ Q1 2027 earnings at $0.99 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $0.90 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $3.99 EPS, Q1 2028 earnings at $1.19 EPS, Q2 2028 earnings at $1.21 EPS, Q3 2028 earnings at $1.20 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $4.71 EPS.

Several other research analysts have also weighed in on the stock. Barclays upped their price objective on shares of International Flavors & Fragrances from $96.00 to $105.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, October 16th. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on shares of International Flavors & Fragrances from $93.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 1st. Citigroup decreased their target price on shares of International Flavors & Fragrances from $101.00 to $100.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, October 7th. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of International Flavors & Fragrances from a “hold (c-)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a report on Thursday, October 8th. Finally, Vertical Research downgraded shares of International Flavors & Fragrances from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and set a $93.00 price target on the stock. in a research note on Thursday, August 6th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, International Flavors & Fragrances presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $93.22.

International Flavors & Fragrances Trading Down 0.2%

NYSE:IFF opened at $91.06 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $23.23 billion, a PE ratio of 83.54, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.85 and a beta of 0.91. International Flavors & Fragrances has a fifty-two week low of $61.29 and a fifty-two week high of $92.02. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, a current ratio of 2.06 and a quick ratio of 1.72. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $85.55 and its two-hundred day moving average is $79.63.

International Flavors & Fragrances (NYSE:IFF) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 4th. The specialty chemicals company reported $0.82 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.07 by ($0.25). The company had revenue of $1.95 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.62 billion. International Flavors & Fragrances had a return on equity of 7.11% and a net margin of 2.78%. International Flavors & Fragrances’s revenue for the quarter was up 1.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.15 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that International Flavors & Fragrances will post 3.29 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

International Flavors & Fragrances announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock buyback plan on Tuesday, August 4th that permits the company to repurchase $2.50 billion in shares. This buyback authorization permits the specialty chemicals company to buy up to 12.1% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are usually a sign that the company’s leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Insider Activity at International Flavors & Fragrances

In related news, EVP Michael Deveau sold 8,825 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $85.55, for a total value of $754,978.75. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 5,199 shares in the company, valued at approximately $444,774.45. This represents a 62.93% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, insider De Mendonca Ana Paula Teles sold 5,718 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $83.19, for a total transaction of $475,680.42. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last quarter, insiders sold 15,543 shares of company stock valued at $1,315,659. 1.07% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of IFF. Studio Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of International Flavors & Fragrances by 3.7% during the 2nd quarter. Studio Investment Management LLC now owns 3,916 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock valued at $312,000 after purchasing an additional 138 shares in the last quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust lifted its stake in shares of International Flavors & Fragrances by 27.9% in the 2nd quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 706 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock valued at $56,000 after purchasing an additional 154 shares during the last quarter. Waverly Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in International Flavors & Fragrances by 4.2% in the second quarter. Waverly Advisors LLC now owns 3,850 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $305,000 after purchasing an additional 156 shares in the last quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in International Flavors & Fragrances by 2.8% in the second quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC now owns 6,272 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $497,000 after purchasing an additional 171 shares in the last quarter. Finally, QRG Capital Management Inc. increased its position in International Flavors & Fragrances by 6.3% during the first quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. now owns 3,875 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $281,000 after buying an additional 228 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.02% of the company’s stock.

International Flavors & Fragrances Company Profile

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc (NYSE:IFF) develops and manufactures ingredients, flavor systems, fragrances and specialty solutions used in consumer and industrial products. Its offerings support food and beverage manufacturers, fragrance and personal care companies, household-product makers, pharmaceutical businesses and other customers.

The company’s portfolio includes flavors for beverages, dairy products, sweet goods, savory foods and other applications; fragrances for fine fragrance, personal care and home care products; and functional ingredients, enzymes, cultures, natural extracts and other specialty materials.