West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc (NYSE: WST)’s stock price has increased by 1.29 compared to its previous closing price of 219.73. However, the company has seen a 9.29% increase in its stock price over the last five trading sessions. accessnewswire.com reported 2025-02-27 that NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / February 27, 2025 / Levi & Korsinsky notifies investors that it has commenced an investigation of West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (“West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.”) (NYSE:WST) concerning possible violations of federal securities laws. On February 12, 2025, West reported positive 4Q 2024 financial results but announced full year 2025 guidance that was well below analysts’ expectations.
Is It Worth Investing in West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc (NYSE: WST) Right Now?
The price-to-earnings ratio for West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc (NYSE: WST) is above average at 33.27x, Company’s 36-month beta value is 1.09.Analysts have differing opinions on the stock, with 9 analysts rating it as a “buy,” 2 as “overweight,” 3 as “hold,” and 0 as “sell.”
The public float for WST is 71.88M, and currently, short sellers hold a 1.66% ratio of that floaft. The average trading volume of WST on February 28, 2025 was 773.07K shares.
WST’s Market Performance
WST stock saw a decrease of 9.29% in the past week, with a monthly decline of -35.17% and a quarterly a decrease of -29.70%. The volatility ratio for the week is 3.50%, and the volatility levels for the last 30 days are 4.51% for West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc (WST). The simple moving average for the past 20 days is -18.10% for WST’s stock, with a -28.88% simple moving average for the past 200 days.
Analysts’ Opinion of WST
Many brokerage firms have already submitted their reports for WST stocks, with Deutsche Bank repeating the rating for WST by listing it as a “Buy.” The predicted price for WST in the upcoming period, according to Deutsche Bank is $250 based on the research report published on February 14, 2025 of the current year 2025.
Citigroup, on the other hand, stated in their research note that they expect to see WST reach a price target of $400. The rating they have provided for WST stocks is “Buy” according to the report published on January 08th, 2025.
WST Trading at -28.10% from the 50-Day Moving Average
After a stumble in the market that brought WST to its low price for the period of the last 52 weeks, the company was unable to rebound, for now settling with -44.48% of loss for the given period.
Volatility was left at 4.51%, however, over the last 30 days, the volatility rate increased by 3.50%, as shares sank -34.46% for the moving average over the last 20 days. Over the last 50 days, in opposition, the stock is trading -32.89% lower at present.
During the last 5 trading sessions, WST rose by +9.29%, which changed the moving average for the period of 200-days by -39.12% in comparison to the 20-day moving average, which settled at $271.74. In addition, West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc saw -32.06% in overturn over a single year, with a tendency to cut further losses.
Insider Trading
Reports are indicating that there were more than several insider trading activities at WST starting from Witherspoon Charles, who sale 703 shares at the price of $310.40 back on Oct 29 ’24. After this action, Witherspoon Charles now owns 1,253 shares of West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc, valued at $218,211 using the latest closing price.
Witherspoon Charles, the VP & Treasurer of West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc, sale 1,029 shares at $300.00 during a trade that took place back on Aug 19 ’24, which means that Witherspoon Charles is holding 1,478 shares at $308,700 based on the most recent closing price.
Stock Fundamentals for WST
Current profitability levels for the company are sitting at:
- 0.2 for the present operating margin
- 0.35 for the gross margin
The net margin for West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc stands at 0.17. The total capital return value is set at 0.19. Equity return is now at value 17.71, with 13.19 for asset returns.
Based on West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc (WST), the company’s capital structure generated 0.1 points at debt to capital in total, while cash flow to debt ratio is standing at 2.16. The debt to equity ratio resting at 0.11. The interest coverage ratio of the stock is 191.5.
Currently, EBITDA for the company is 743.9 million with net debt to EBITDA at -0.25. When we switch over and look at the enterprise to sales, we see a ratio of 5.5. The receivables turnover for the company is 5.24for trailing twelve months and the total asset turnover is 0.79. The liquidity ratio also appears to be rather interesting for investors as it stands at 2.79.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc (WST) has experienced a bad performance in recent times. The stock has received mixed “buy” and “hold” ratings from analysts. It’s important to note that the stock is currently trading at a significant distance from its 50-day moving average and its 52-week high.
