Astec Industries (NASDAQ:ASTE) Downgraded by Zacks Research to Strong Sell

Zacks Research downgraded shares of Astec Industries (NASDAQ:ASTE) from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note issued to investors on Monday,Zacks reports.

A number of other research analysts have also recently commented on ASTE. Weiss Ratings restated a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Astec Industries in a research note on Monday, November 2nd. Freedom Broker lowered their price objective on Astec Industries from $60.00 to $52.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has issued a Buy rating, one has issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $52.00.

Astec Industries Price Performance

NASDAQ:ASTE opened at $36.95 on Monday. The company has a 50-day moving average of $40.13 and a 200-day moving average of $50.25. The company has a market capitalization of $851.33 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 73.90, a PEG ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.37. Astec Industries has a 52 week low of $35.05 and a 52 week high of $65.69. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a current ratio of 2.31.

Astec Industries (NASDAQ:ASTE) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, November 5th. The industrial products company reported ($0.01) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.47 by ($0.48). The business had revenue of $352.40 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $375.47 million. Astec Industries had a net margin of 0.74% and a return on equity of 8.60%. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted ($0.18) earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Astec Industries will post 3.35 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Astec Industries Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 4th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 16th will be paid a $0.13 dividend. This represents a $0.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.4%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 16th. Astec Industries’s payout ratio is currently 104.00%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Astec Industries

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Allworth Financial LP acquired a new stake in shares of Astec Industries during the 2nd quarter worth about $25,000. Nykredit A S bought a new position in Astec Industries during the 2nd quarter valued at about $25,000. Fortitude Family Office LLC lifted its holdings in Astec Industries by 1,128.8% during the 3rd quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 639 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 587 shares during the last quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC boosted its position in Astec Industries by 988.4% in the third quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 751 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 682 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio acquired a new position in Astec Industries in the second quarter valued at about $44,000. Institutional investors own 93.16% of the company’s stock.

Key Headlines Impacting Astec Industries

Here are the key news stories impacting Astec Industries this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Sidoti forecasts EPS of $4.27 for FY2028, above its FY2027 estimate of $3.56, suggesting expected longer-term earnings growth. Astec Industries analyst estimates
• Neutral Sentiment: Freedom Broker cut its price target to $52 from $60 but maintained a Buy rating; the new target was reported as 40.7% above the referenced $36.95 share price. Freedom Broker ratings
• Neutral Sentiment: A report listed short interest at zero shares, so it showed no measurable short-position overhang; the article’s description of a “significant increase” conflicts with that figure.
• Negative Sentiment: Sidoti cut its FY2026 EPS forecast to $2.58 from $3.35 and its FY2027 estimate to $3.56 from $3.84. It also reduced estimates for Q4 2026 and several 2027 quarters, including Q2 2027 to $1.12 from $1.33. The broad downward revisions are the clearest near-term headwind for ASTE. Astec Industries analyst estimates

About Astec Industries

Astec Industries is a manufacturer of equipment and services for the infrastructure, road construction and aggregate industries. Its products support the production and handling of asphalt, concrete and crushed stone, as well as the construction and maintenance of roads. The company’s offerings include asphalt production plants, roadbuilding equipment, crushers, screens, material washing systems and concrete batch plants. Astec also provides parts, service and other support for its equipment. Founded in 1972 and headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Astec serves customers in the United States and international markets.