Nordson (NDSN) – Research Analysts’ Weekly Ratings Updates

Recent weeks have seen several brokerages adjusting their recommendations and price targets for shares of Nordson (NASDAQ: NDSN):

• On December 17, 2024, analysts from Seaport Res Ptn upgraded Nordson from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating.
• On December 13, 2024, Robert W. Baird reaffirmed their “neutral” rating for Nordson, with a revised price target of $237.00, decreased from the previous target of $294.00.
• Also on December 13, 2024, Baird R W downgraded Nordson from a “strong-buy” to a “hold” rating.
• On the same date, DA Davidson lowered their price target for Nordson from $295.00 to $285.00 while maintaining a “buy” rating.

Current Stock Performance

As of Wednesday, shares of Nordson opened at $212.29. The company has a market capitalization of $12.10 billion, a PE ratio of 26.18, and a P/E/G ratio of 1.70. Its beta stands at 0.90. The fifty-day moving average is $248.38 and the 200-day moving average is $245.20, with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72. The current ratio is 2.41, and the quick ratio is 1.52. The stock has a fifty-two week range, with a low of $207.15 and a high of $279.38.

Nordson last announced its quarterly earnings data on December 11, 2024. The company reported earnings per share (EPS) of $2.78, exceeding analysts’ expectations of $2.59 by $0.19. The revenue for the quarter was $744.00 million, exceeding the consensus estimate of $736.83 million. Year-over-year, their revenue increased by 3.5%, while the previous year’s EPS was $2.46. Analysts anticipate Nordson will achieve an EPS of 10.34 for the current fiscal year.

Dividend Announcement

On a related note, Nordson also announced a quarterly dividend of $0.78 per share, scheduled for payment on January 16, 2025. Shareholders on record by January 2, 2025, will be eligible for this dividend. This translates to an annualized dividend yield of 1.47%, with a payout ratio of 38.47%.

Insider Transactions

Regarding insider trading, EVP Joseph P. Kelley sold 3,000 shares on October 9, 2024, for an average price of $249.98, totaling $749,940.00. Post-sale, Kelley holds 8,659 shares worth approximately $2,164,576.82, reflecting a 25.73% decrease in their ownership. The transaction was filed with the SEC. Additionally, EVP Stephen Lovass sold 317 shares on December 2, 2024, at an average price of $260.75, amounting to $82,657.75. Lovass now owns 6,666 shares valued at about $1,738,159.50, indicating a 4.54% decrease in their position. In total, insiders have sold 3,629 shares valued at $914,400 over the past ninety days. Overall, corporate insiders own 0.86% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investments

Recent activity among institutional investors includes some increasing their holdings in Nordson. For instance, Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in the second quarter worth about $27,000. Tortoise Investment Management LLC boosted their shareholding by 70.7%, now owning 140 shares valued at $32,000. Blue Trust Inc. grew their stake by 130.0% during the third quarter, now holding 161 shares worth $42,000. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada also bought a new position valued at approximately $46,000 in the second quarter. Finally, UMB Bank n.a. raised its holdings in Nordson by 2,387.5%, now owning 199 shares valued at $46,000. In total, institutional and hedge fund ownership stands at 72.11% of the company's stock.

Nordson Corporation specializes in engineering, manufacturing, and marketing products and systems for dispensing and controlling adhesives, coatings, polymers, sealants, biomaterials, and other fluids globally, operating through three segments: Industrial Precision Solutions, Medical and Fluid Solutions, and Advanced Technology Solutions.

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