BofA raises Timken stock rating, hikes price target to $78

Published 04/02/2025, 16:00
BofA raises Timken stock rating, hikes price target to $78

On Tuesday, BofA Securities adjusted its stance on Timken shares (NYSE:TKR), upgrading the stock rating from Underperform to Neutral and increasing the price target to $78 from the previous $73. According to InvestingPro data, Timken boasts an impressive 54-year streak of consistent dividend payments and maintains a "GOOD" overall financial health score. The shift in rating comes after a period of contrasting performance for the company, with Timken’s shares having lagged behind in 2024, dropping by 10% in contrast to the Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI), which gained 17%. However, the company has seen a turnaround year-to-date, with shares climbing by 8% compared to XLI’s 4% rise. With a P/E ratio of 16.07 and current analyst consensus suggesting further upside potential, InvestingPro analysis indicates the stock may be undervalued at current levels.

Analysts at BofA Securities observed that the pressures affecting Timken’s growth trajectory are beginning to diminish. This assessment aligns with recent industry reports, including one from Timken’s peer, SKF, which noted an uptick in U.S. industrial activity following the elections, as well as favorable pricing and product mix developments. Additionally, the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) reported an improvement in January. The company maintains strong fundamentals with a healthy current ratio of 3.0 and an Altman Z-Score of 3.74, indicating solid financial stability. InvestingPro subscribers can access over 30 additional financial metrics and insights about Timken’s performance and outlook.

Despite the upgrade, BofA Securities remains cautious due to persisting uncertainties surrounding tariffs, which could pose risks. Nonetheless, the firm’s analysts believe that the risk/reward profile for Timken’s stock is now more evenly balanced, leading to the upgraded Neutral rating. The company’s gross profit margin stands at 30.88%, while analyst price targets range from $73 to $99, reflecting varied opinions on the stock’s potential.

The upgrade reflects a more optimistic outlook for Timken, as industry conditions appear to be improving. BofA Securities’ revised price target suggests a modest confidence in the company’s ability to navigate the current market landscape and potentially benefit from the positive trends noted in the industrial sector.

Investors and market watchers will be keeping an eye on Timken’s performance in the coming months to see if the company can maintain its upward trajectory and continue to capitalize on the improving industrial activity in the United States.

In other recent news, The Timken Company has reported mixed third-quarter results, with a revenue decline of 1.4% year-over-year to $1.13 billion and a decrease in adjusted EBITDA margins by 200 basis points to 16.9%. The company also revised its full-year 2024 revenue outlook to a 4% decrease and expects adjusted EPS between $5.55 and $5.65. In terms of board developments, Timken has expanded its Board of Directors with the election of Kimberly K. Ryan, who currently serves as the President and CEO of Hillenbrand (NYSE:HI), Inc.

In analyst news, Citi has upgraded Timken shares from Neutral to Buy, forecasting a rebound in industrial Purchasing Managers’ Indexes in the second half of 2025. Similarly, Evercore ISI upgraded the stock from In Line to Outperform, indicating a potential for restructuring and portfolio actions that could contribute to Timken’s appeal from a valuation perspective. These are recent developments that indicate a positive outlook for the company’s performance in the upcoming year.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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