Oppenheimer on Thursday raised its price target for Avient Corp. (NYSE: AVNT) to $47.00 from $41.00 and maintained an Outperform rating on the specialty materials company. The firm noted the new target sits close to a Fair Value assessment that indicates the stock is modestly undervalued, even as Avient trades near its 52-week high of $44.78.
Analysts at Oppenheimer described the companys most recent quarter as "a solid finish to the year," and highlighted 2026 guidance that came in above Wall Street expectations. Avients top-line results for the period beat consensus by roughly 1%, a performance Oppenheimer attributed in part to foreign exchange benefits and continued healthy growth at its Specialty Engineered Materials (SEM) segment. That combination of factors has coincided with a notable year-to-date return of 30.83% for the stock.
For fiscal 2026 management forecasted earnings-per-share growth in a range of 4% to 12%, with the company pointing to execution of price/cost measures and productivity initiatives as the drivers of the outlook. Oppenheimer said the guidance allows for potential upside should macroeconomic conditions improve, while also observing the company currently trades at a premium valuation - a trailing price-to-earnings ratio of 34.2.
The firm emphasized that stabilizing volume trends combined with easier second-half comparisons should support "a healthy cadence of year-over-year revenue and EPS growth progression" through 2026. Oppenheimer additionally pointed to what it called "a healing multiple amid the market rotation" as a factor likely to sustain favorable stock performance during the year.
Quarterly results and other updates
Avients fourth-quarter 2025 results beat expectations on both the top and bottom lines. The company reported EPS of $0.56, above the consensus forecast of $0.55, and revenue of $761 million, exceeding the projected $750.17 million. The company did not provide any information on mergers or acquisitions in the recent update. The report did not include commentary on analyst upgrades or downgrades.
These results and guidance together sketch a picture of Avients current financial position and market standing, with managements stated initiatives and segment dynamics forming the basis for Oppenheimers more positive outlook.
Implications for markets and sectors
- Materials and specialty chemicals investors will likely watch execution on price/cost and productivity initiatives as key drivers of near-term earnings delivery.
- Equity investors may view the expanded price target and Outperform rating as validation of improved operating momentum, but will also weigh the premium valuation in deciding portfolio exposure.