FTSE 100 today: closes higher as UK inflation surprises; GBP lower, Ithaca report
On Friday, JPMorgan initiated coverage on Xylem Inc. (NYSE:XYL), a leading water technology company, with an Overweight rating and a year-end 2025 price target of $148.00. Currently trading at $125.66 with a market capitalization of $30.6 billion, Xylem maintains a "GOOD" overall financial health score according to InvestingPro analysis. The firm highlighted Xylem’s position as a pure play in the water technology sector, identifying it as an appealing long-term investment for those interested in industrial and sustainability markets.
The coverage notes Xylem’s diverse and resilient end markets, which benefit from multi-decade secular tailwinds. With revenue growth of 8.2% over the last twelve months and a strong gross profit margin of 37.5%, JPMorgan’s analysts believe that Xylem’s ongoing 80/20 simplification efforts, the substantial opportunity presented by the PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) challenge, and the ongoing integration of Evoqua are key factors that could lead the company to outperform medium to long-term investor expectations.Want deeper insights? InvestingPro offers comprehensive analysis with 12 additional ProTips and a detailed research report for Xylem, one of 1,400+ stocks covered in-depth on the platform.
According to JPMorgan, Xylem’s scarcity as one of the few publicly traded pure play water technology companies adds additional value for investors. The company has maintained dividend payments for 15 consecutive years, with a current yield of 1.27%. The firm also pointed out that Xylem’s stock is currently trading at a discount compared to its historical averages, suggesting that the current stock price represents an attractive entry point for investors, though InvestingPro’s Fair Value analysis indicates the stock is fairly valued at current levels.
The announcement on Friday underscores JPMorgan’s confidence in Xylem’s growth prospects and its potential to capitalize on the expanding need for water technology solutions. With a moderate debt level and current ratio of 1.89, Xylem has been recognized for its efforts to streamline operations and for its strategic acquisitions, which are expected to contribute to the company’s performance in the future.
In other recent news, Xylem Inc. reported strong financial results for the first quarter of 2025, exceeding analysts’ expectations. The company achieved an earnings per share (EPS) of $1.03, surpassing the forecast of $0.95, and reported revenue of $2.1 billion, which was higher than the expected $2.04 billion. This performance was bolstered by a 3% increase in revenue compared to the previous year and a 14% year-over-year growth in EPS. Additionally, Xylem’s backlog reached $5.1 billion, indicating robust future demand. In a strategic move, Xylem completed the acquisition of Baycom, which is expected to enhance its technology portfolio. The company also announced a quarterly dividend of $0.40 per share for the second quarter, reflecting its commitment to returning value to shareholders. Meanwhile, Raymond (NSE:RYMD) James initiated coverage on Xylem with a Market Perform rating, citing a mix of positive and negative factors, including potential gains from pricing strategies and corporate restructuring. These developments highlight the company’s ongoing efforts to drive growth and maintain financial stability.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.