Hexcel Corp (HXL)

We cannot recall another time during our long history in sell-side research when the best idea highlighted from our coverage was: investors should avoid the entire peer group right now. Ultimately, we deemed it more appropriate to shift the note topic to the new developments detected in our propriety channel checks that may be interpreted as bearish by investors. We lowered earnings estimates for two of The Boeing Company suppliers potentially over-levered to the Dreamliner program: Hexcel Corporation (HXL) and Allegheny Technologies (ATI). Continue reading

We are downgrading Hexcel Corporation (HXL) to a HOLD rating this morning. Since we issued an upgrade note last month, HXL shares traded 55% higher, exceeding our target price, fueled by election certainty, recent COVID-19 vaccination headlines, and the pending MAX recertification. Continue reading

Consensus estimates still look aggressive, in relation to fundamentals, for aerospace suppliers levered to premium forge, composite materials, metal fabrication, and raw materials. We believe the tier-3/4 peer group may still be 4-5 quarters away from an inflection point, which could be followed by muted demand in CY22 regardless of the COVID-19 vaccination outcome. After updating various industry models, we generated a CY21 baseline growth forecast for upstream aero suppliers at down 12-13% for CY21. We also lowered estimates on Allegheny Tech (ATI) and Hexcel Corp (HXL) this morning, after completing this market analysis and reviewing the negative survey data points referenced in this report. Continue reading

We woke up this morning with two revelations: (1) this feels like the right time to upgrade HXL; and (2) Was The Danielson always the bad guy in Karate Kid? Continue reading

We were ready for a weak Hexcel Corporation (HXL) quarterly update, but this looks like a fairly large miss that may trigger additional selling pressure. In this quick note, we provide our initial thoughts on the 3Q report. Continue reading

We are lowering estimates on Hexcel Corporation (HXL) ahead of the quarterly earnings update to fully align with the disappointing aero supplier survey data points, negative aircraft production rate adjustments, and relentless inventory liquidation headwinds. Continue reading

We are moving the investment rating on Hexcel Corporation (HXL) to a HOLD, conceding to a limited number of catalysts looking out 3-4 months. Consistent with views expressed in a recently issued Boeing (BA) upgrade note, we no longer expect valuations and/or investor sentiment around the aerospace peer group to be determined by changing fundamentals. Instead, the trading momentum will most likely be dictated by headlines, with emphasis placed on COVID-19 vaccination updates and/or reported changes to the MAX approval timeline Continue reading

Hexcel Corporation (HXL) kicks off what is likely to be considered an awful earnings week for most aerospace suppliers and the specialty materials group. Not only did the company’s 2Q20 EPS results, reported last night, fall well below expectations due to the pronounced commercial aerospace sales demand weakness and strong inventory headwinds, but we expect any forward-looking commentary to remain guarded. Conservatism would align with the new feedback coming out of the aero channel over the past two weeks. Continue reading

We are lowering estimates on Hexcel Corporation (HXL) ahead of the quarterly update to align with the ongoing demand erosion evident throughout the commercial aerospace market and future headline risk. Continue reading

We are downgrading Hexcel Corporation (HXL) to an UNDERPERFORM recommendation as the shares have traded beyond our target price. More importantly, we are becoming increasingly concerned about the latest information coming out of the aerospace channel, once again suggesting Airbus is about to lower the production rate on the A320. The number being discussed within the channel is 30/month, representing a 25% cut to the current rate – a looming negative catalyst for HXL and many other companies we track in the lower tiers. Continue reading