Clorox (NYSE:CLX) Hits New 1-Year Low Following Analyst Downgrade

The Clorox Company (NYSE:CLX) hit a new 52-week low on Monday after Citigroup lowered their price target on the stock from $110.00 to $97.00. Citigroup currently has a neutral rating on the stock. Clorox traded as low as $85.62 and last traded at $86.6360, with a volume of 911606 shares. The stock had previously closed at $87.11.

Other equities research analysts also recently issued reports about the stock. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Clorox from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, February 7th. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a “sell” rating and issued a $83.00 price target on shares of Clorox in a research note on Friday. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a “hold” rating and issued a $91.00 price target on shares of Clorox in a research note on Friday. Rothschild & Co Redburn set a $117.00 price target on shares of Clorox in a research note on Friday, February 13th. Finally, UBS Group decreased their price target on shares of Clorox from $110.00 to $96.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Friday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, twelve have given a Hold rating and four have given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Clorox currently has an average rating of “Reduce” and an average target price of $104.93.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Clorox

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Center for Financial Planning Inc. purchased a new stake in Clorox in the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC purchased a new stake in Clorox in the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. Caitlin John LLC increased its stake in Clorox by 1,807.1% in the 4th quarter. Caitlin John LLC now owns 267 shares of the company’s stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 253 shares during the last quarter. True Wealth Design LLC increased its stake in Clorox by 1,020.0% in the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 224 shares of the company’s stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 204 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Root Financial Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Clorox in the 3rd quarter valued at about $29,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 78.53% of the company’s stock.

Clorox Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 27.03, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a current ratio of 0.84. The stock has a market cap of $10.47 billion, a PE ratio of 14.06, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.46 and a beta of 0.59. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $108.21 and its 200 day simple moving average is $108.66.

Clorox (NYSE:CLX) last released its earnings results on Thursday, April 30th. The company reported $1.64 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.55 by $0.09. The firm had revenue of $1.67 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.67 billion. Clorox had a net margin of 11.18% and a return on equity of 443.64%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up .1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.45 earnings per share. Clorox has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.450-5.650 EPS. Analysts expect that The Clorox Company will post 5.56 earnings per share for the current year.

Clorox Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 8th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, April 22nd will be paid a $1.24 dividend. This represents a $4.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.7%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, April 22nd. Clorox’s payout ratio is presently 81.05%.

Clorox Company Profile

The Clorox Company is a leading manufacturer and marketer of consumer and professional products designed to help people care for their homes and live healthy, sustainable lives. Its portfolio spans cleaning and household products, food and beverages, water filtration systems and cat litter, serving both retail and institutional customers. The company’s flagship bleach and disinfecting products are well known in the United States and many international markets, where they help prevent the spread of germs in homes, hospitals, schools and businesses.

Clorox’s diverse brand lineup includes liquid bleach and surface cleaners, eco-friendly cleaning tools, food preservation and preparation items, charcoal grills and briquettes, specialty foods and beverages, pet care products and personal care lines.