Jefferies lifts Mettler-Toledo stock rating, cuts price target

Published 05/05/2025, 06:52
Jefferies lifts Mettler-Toledo stock rating, cuts price target

On Monday, Mettler-Toledo International Inc . (NYSE:MTD), a $22.86 billion precision instruments manufacturer trading at $1,100, experienced a shift in its stock rating as Jefferies analyst Brandon Couillard upgraded the company from Underperform to Hold. Accompanying this rating change, the price target was adjusted to $1,110 from the previous target of $1,200.

The adjustment in rating comes after a significant change in the company’s valuation. Couillard noted that the price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio has decreased by ten turns since last June, indicating a more favorable valuation for investors. Currently trading at a P/E of 27.4, InvestingPro data shows that 4 analysts have revised their earnings downwards for the upcoming period. Despite the absence of exposure to certain market segments such as bioprocessing and instrument recovery trades, the analyst believes that Mettler-Toledo’s stock is stabilizing.

The company’s current position has been influenced by various macroeconomic factors, with a particular emphasis on the situation in China. While these factors continue to pose a risk, Couillard suggests that the likelihood of a substantial decline in Mettler-Toledo’s financial performance is low. This view is supported by InvestingPro’s Financial Health Score of "GOOD," reflecting the company’s solid fundamentals and impressive 60.14% gross margin.

In his statement, Couillard emphasized the rationale behind the upgrade, "We are upgrading shares from Underperform to Hold, as our prior thesis was largely predicated on valuation, which has come in meaningfully since last June." He also acknowledged that while certain challenges persist, the current valuation reflects a level that is unlikely to experience further significant drops.

The new price target of $1,110 reflects a more cautious outlook, considering the potential headwinds the company may face. Nonetheless, with the updated Hold rating, Jefferies indicates a neutral stance on Mettler-Toledo’s shares, suggesting that the risks and potential rewards are now more balanced for investors. For deeper insights into MTD’s valuation and growth prospects, including exclusive ProTips and comprehensive financial analysis, check out the detailed Research Report available on InvestingPro.

In other recent news, Mettler-Toledo International Inc. reported its first-quarter 2025 earnings, exceeding analysts’ expectations with an adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $8.19, surpassing the forecasted $7.88. The company’s revenue reached $884 million, slightly above the anticipated $876.5 million, demonstrating strong performance in its Process Analytics and Product Inspection segments. Mettler-Toledo’s strategic focus on innovation and service expansion contributed to its solid performance despite a 3% sales decline in local currency. The company also reported a gross margin increase to 59.5%, reflecting operational efficiency.

Mettler-Toledo faces ongoing challenges from global trade disputes and tariff impacts, which have introduced uncertainty in global customer demand. The company estimates incremental global tariff costs of approximately $115 million annually but is implementing mitigation actions to offset these costs. For the full year 2025, Mettler-Toledo projects local currency sales growth of 1% to 2% and adjusted EPS between $41.25 and $42.00. The company plans to maintain flat to slightly positive operating margins, excluding tariffs, and anticipates free cash flow of $860 million.

Analysts from UBS and Citi inquired about the company’s strategies to manage tariff impacts and its performance in the Chinese market, where market conditions remain soft. Mettler-Toledo has been optimizing its supply chain to mitigate tariff effects and continues to engage in growth initiatives in its Process Analytics and Product Inspection segments. Despite economic uncertainty, the company remains focused on leveraging its innovative product portfolio and strategic programs to navigate the dynamic market environment.

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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