HNI stock falls as Benchmark reiterates Buy rating amid Steelcase acquisition

Published 05/08/2025, 16:34
HNI stock falls as Benchmark reiterates Buy rating amid Steelcase acquisition

Investing.com - HNI Corp (NYSE:HNI) shares declined following the announcement of its agreement to acquire Steelcase, Inc. (NYSE:SCS), despite Benchmark maintaining its Buy rating and $60.00 price target on the stock. The company, which boasts a perfect Piotroski Score of 9 according to InvestingPro data, demonstrates strong financial health with a current ratio of 1.46.

The transaction, valued at approximately $2 billion in cash and stock based on the previous day’s closing price, is expected to close by the end of 2025, pending shareholder approvals and regulatory clearances.

Benchmark noted that the initial negative stock reaction, which saw HNI shares drop more than 20% at market open before recovering to close down approximately 10%, "severely misconstrues the opportunities/risks associated with this transaction."

The research firm compared the acquisition to HNI’s purchase of KBAL two years ago, which it described as "a home run for the Company in terms of earnings growth."

Benchmark is maintaining its current price target and estimates until the deal closes, but recommended investors "take advantage of the dislocation between the stock and what we view as the more likely reality for the transaction."

In other recent news, HNI Corporation announced its acquisition of Steelcase Inc . in a transaction valued at approximately $2.2 billion. Steelcase shareholders will receive $7.20 in cash and 0.2192 shares of HNI common stock for each share they own, translating to an implied purchase price of $18.30 per share. This development follows HNI’s strong second-quarter 2025 financial performance, where the company reported earnings per share of $1.11, surpassing the forecast of $0.86. HNI’s revenue also exceeded expectations, coming in at $667.1 million against a predicted $646.42 million. Analysts at Benchmark reiterated a Buy rating for HNI, citing strong quarterly results, with a price target of $60.00. The company’s Workplace Furnishings segment contributed significantly to the revenue outperformance, with orders pulled forward accounting for approximately $15-18 million. Despite these positive financial results, HNI’s stock experienced a slight pre-market decline.

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

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers
© 2007-2025 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.