Hexcel Co. (NYSE:HXL) is Kennedy Capital Management LLC’s 7th Largest Position

Kennedy Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Hexcel Co. (NYSE:HXL) by 9.8% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 574,084 shares of the aerospace company’s stock after buying an additional 51,428 shares during the quarter. Hexcel accounts for approximately 0.8% of Kennedy Capital Management LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 7th largest position. Kennedy Capital Management LLC’s holdings in Hexcel were worth $35,995,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina boosted its stake in shares of Hexcel by 0.6% during the fourth quarter. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina now owns 35,779 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $2,243,000 after purchasing an additional 220 shares during the period. CenterBook Partners LP purchased a new stake in shares of Hexcel during the fourth quarter valued at $1,397,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Hexcel in the fourth quarter valued at about $7,092,000. FIL Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Hexcel in the fourth quarter valued at about $14,446,000. Finally, Invesco Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of Hexcel by 6.9% in the fourth quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 729,995 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $45,771,000 after acquiring an additional 46,983 shares in the last quarter. 95.47% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Hexcel Price Performance

HXL stock opened at $53.31 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46, a quick ratio of 1.20 and a current ratio of 2.21. Hexcel Co. has a 1 year low of $45.28 and a 1 year high of $73.58. The firm has a market cap of $4.29 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.53, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.72 and a beta of 1.08. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $59.06 and a 200-day simple moving average of $61.50.

Hexcel (NYSE:HXL) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, January 22nd. The aerospace company reported $0.52 EPS for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.52. Hexcel had a return on equity of 10.66% and a net margin of 6.94%. On average, equities analysts predict that Hexcel Co. will post 2.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hexcel Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 14th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 7th were paid a $0.17 dividend. This represents a $0.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.28%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 7th. This is an increase from Hexcel’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.15. Hexcel’s payout ratio is currently 42.77%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms recently weighed in on HXL. Truist Financial decreased their price objective on Hexcel from $85.00 to $80.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Friday, March 28th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their target price on shares of Hexcel from $74.00 to $82.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, January 24th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on shares of Hexcel from $87.00 to $63.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Hexcel from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, March 17th. Finally, TD Cowen upgraded shares of Hexcel to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, February 24th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $70.25.

Hexcel Company 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.