Analyst Ratings February 23, 2026

TD Cowen Keeps Xylem on Hold, Reaffirms $135 Target as Execution Risk Rises

Analyst holds 2026 view steady while signalling steeper revenue ramp and heightened sensitivity to project timing

By Derek Hwang XYL
TD Cowen Keeps Xylem on Hold, Reaffirms $135 Target as Execution Risk Rises
XYL

TD Cowen maintained a Hold rating on Xylem Inc. and preserved a $135 price target. The stock is trading beneath both the analyst target and a reported fair value estimate of $144.11. While 2026 estimates remain largely unchanged, the projected revenue path now shows a steeper ramp that management says it can see, a shift that increases execution risk if project pushouts persist. Xylem reported modest top-line growth and a minor EPS beat in its latest quarter, yet the shares fell in pre-market trading.

Key Points

  • TD Cowen maintained a Hold rating on Xylem and kept the price target at $135; shares trade at $127.65, below that target and a reported fair value estimate of $144.11.
  • Xylem shows a P/E of 32.5, market capitalization of $31.09 billion, and 5.5% revenue growth over the last twelve months; the company has raised its dividend for 15 consecutive years, yielding 1.34%.
  • 2026 estimates are broadly unchanged but now assume a steeper revenue ramp; management believes it has visibility into targets, though timing adjustments increase execution risk. Sectors impacted include industrials, water infrastructure and utilities.

Overview

TD Cowen has kept its recommendation on Xylem Inc. at Hold and left its price target unchanged at $135. The shares are trading at $127.65, which sits below both the analyst target and a reported fair value estimate of $144.11, indicating the stock may be undervalued relative to that benchmark. Market metrics cited alongside the rating include a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.5, a market capitalization of $31.09 billion, and revenue growth of 5.5% over the past twelve months.

Valuation and recent performance

TD Cowen’s view leaves key valuation and performance figures intact: Xylem’s current P/E and market cap reflect the market’s assessment of future earning power, while the 5.5% trailing revenue increase signals modest organic growth. Dividend consistency was also highlighted; the company has increased its payout for 15 consecutive years and the current yield stands at 1.34%.

Guidance and execution considerations

On the outlook front, the firm’s 2026 estimates are largely unchanged from prior projections, but the expected revenue progression during the year has been adjusted to a steeper ramp. Management has communicated that it has visibility into achieving these targets, though TD Cowen noted that the revised timing elevates execution risk if project delays extend beyond current expectations. As the analyst put it, "Mgmt believes they have line of sight here, but it does increase the risk if pushouts they are seeing extend longer than anticipated."

Separately, TD Cowen observed that, "Under the surface, the team continues to make smart decisions to structurally improve the portfolio and core profitability that will read out over time." These remarks point to an emphasis on portfolio optimization and margin improvement initiatives intended to yield benefits over a multi-period horizon.

Analyst revisions and market reaction

Data also show that a number of analysts - twelve in total - have trimmed their near-term earnings estimates, reflecting broader caution about execution in the near term. In the most recent quarter, Xylem reported quarterly results that modestly exceeded consensus: an EPS of $1.42 versus expectations of $1.41, and revenue of $2.4 billion compared with a $2.37 billion projection. Despite the slight outperformance, the stock dropped notably in pre-market trading.

Implications

The combination of a maintained Hold rating, unchanged price target, a fair value estimate above the current share price, and a steeper in-year revenue ramp yields a nuanced picture. Investors are left weighing the company’s structural improvement efforts and consistent dividend increases against heightened execution risk tied to project timing and near-term analyst downward revisions.


Note: the article reports analyst ratings, valuation metrics, recent financial results and commentary as presented by the analyst and company disclosures.

Risks

  • Execution risk if project pushouts extend longer than management currently expects - this directly affects industrial and water infrastructure project timelines and cash flow.
  • Near-term downward revisions by 12 analysts signal broader caution about earnings in the coming period, which could weigh on investor sentiment in industrials and related markets.
  • Market reaction can be volatile even after small beats; despite a modest EPS and revenue outperformance, Xylem’s shares fell in pre-market trading, indicating sensitivity to expectations and timing of results.

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