International Flavors & Fragrances (NYSE:IFF – Get Free Report) was downgraded by analysts at Zacks Research from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a report released on Thursday,Zacks.com reports.
Several other equities analysts also recently issued reports on the stock. BNP Paribas Exane upped their price objective on shares of International Flavors & Fragrances from $85.00 to $95.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 7th. Wall Street Zen downgraded International Flavors & Fragrances from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Saturday. Barclays increased their price target on International Flavors & Fragrances from $90.00 to $96.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday. Berenberg Bank raised their price objective on International Flavors & Fragrances from $83.00 to $84.80 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, May 7th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price objective on International Flavors & Fragrances from $97.00 to $105.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 7th. Thirteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $92.16.
View Our Latest Stock Analysis on IFF
International Flavors & Fragrances Trading Up 1.5%
International Flavors & Fragrances (NYSE:IFF – Get Free Report) last released its 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 firm had revenue of $1.95 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.62 billion. International Flavors & Fragrances had a net margin of 2.78% and a return on equity of 7.11%. International Flavors & Fragrances’s revenue for the quarter was up 1.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.15 earnings per share. Equities research analysts predict that International Flavors & Fragrances will post 3.85 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
International Flavors & Fragrances declared that its Board of Directors has approved a stock repurchase program on Tuesday, August 4th that authorizes the company to buyback $2.50 billion in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the specialty chemicals company to buy up to 12.1% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are usually a sign that the company’s board believes its stock is undervalued.
Insider Buying and Selling
In other news, Director Paul J. Fribourg acquired 260,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 1st. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $74.28 per share, for a total transaction of $19,312,800.00. Following the acquisition, the director directly owned 2,682,730 shares in the company, valued at approximately $199,273,184.40. This represents a 10.73% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Michael Deveau sold 8,825 shares of the stock in a transaction 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 completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 5,199 shares in the company, valued at $444,774.45. This trade represents a 62.93% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Company insiders own 1.07% of the company’s stock.
Institutional Investors Weigh In On International Flavors & Fragrances
Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Lloyd Advisory Services LLC. acquired a new position in shares of International Flavors & Fragrances in the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Root Financial Partners LLC increased its position in International Flavors & Fragrances by 97.9% during the 1st quarter. Root Financial Partners LLC now owns 554 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $40,000 after purchasing an additional 274 shares in the last quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. increased its position in International Flavors & Fragrances by 55.7% during the 1st quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 587 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $46,000 after purchasing an additional 210 shares in the last quarter. Transamerica Financial Advisors LLC raised its holdings in International Flavors & Fragrances by 884.1% in the second quarter. Transamerica Financial Advisors LLC now owns 679 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock valued at $50,000 after buying an additional 610 shares during the period. Finally, EFG International AG acquired a new position in International Flavors & Fragrances during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $73,000. 96.02% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
Key Headlines Impacting International Flavors & Fragrances
Here are the key news stories impacting International Flavors & Fragrances this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Barclays raised its price target from $90 to $96 and upgraded its stance to “overweight,” implying approximately 12% upside from the reference price. The move signals improving confidence in IFF’s earnings outlook and restructuring efforts. Benzinga analyst update
- Positive Sentiment: Benchmark increased its target from $100 to $105 and maintained a “buy” rating, representing roughly 22% potential upside. This is the most bullish valuation among the recent analyst actions. Benzinga analyst update
- Positive Sentiment: IFF plans to repurchase up to $2.5 billion of its shares, which could support per-share earnings and signal that management views the stock as attractively valued. IFF share buyback report
- Neutral Sentiment: UBS raised its price target from $84 to $91 but retained a “neutral” rating. The higher valuation provides modest upside, while the unchanged rating suggests the firm sees balanced potential and risks. Benzinga analyst update
- Negative Sentiment: Vertical Research downgraded IFF from “buy” to “hold,” despite assigning a $93 price target. The downgrade may limit enthusiasm because it reflects less conviction in near-term upside. Finviz analyst update
- Negative Sentiment: Second-quarter results were mixed to weak: adjusted earnings per share came in at $0.82 versus the $1.07 consensus, while revenue of $1.95 billion missed estimates of $2.62 billion. IFF also lowered its full-year sales outlook, overshadowing modest year-over-year revenue growth. International Flavors Q2 earnings snapshot
About International Flavors & Fragrances
International Flavors & Fragrances Inc (NYSE:IFF) is a global leader in the creation and production of flavors, fragrances, cosmetic actives and nutritional lipids. The company develops taste and scent solutions for a wide array of end markets including food and beverage, personal care, household goods and pharmaceutical products. Its portfolio spans natural and nature-identical flavors, fine fragrances, functional ingredients for skin and hair care, and specialty oils that enhance nutritional value and sensory appeal.
IFF’s research and development network comprises innovation centers in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Latin America, where multidisciplinary teams collaborate on aroma chemistry, sensory science and biotechnology.
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