Darling Ingredients (NYSE:DAR) Hits New 52-Week High Following Analyst Upgrade

Darling Ingredients Inc. (NYSE:DAR)’s stock price hit a new 52-week high on Thursday after Zacks Research upgraded the stock from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating. The company traded as high as $68.77 and last traded at $66.9380, with a volume of 2410673 shares. The stock had previously closed at $68.34.

Other equities research analysts have also issued reports about the company. Weiss Ratings raised Darling Ingredients from a “hold (c)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 11th. Wall Street Zen raised Darling Ingredients from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, August 15th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on Darling Ingredients from $73.00 to $75.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, May 4th. Scotiabank lifted their price target on Darling Ingredients from $61.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock a “sector outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 22nd. Finally, TD Cowen boosted their price objective on Darling Ingredients from $70.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, July 27th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $69.00.

Insider Activity

In other Darling Ingredients news, Director Charles L. Adair bought 1,000 shares of Darling Ingredients stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 31st. The stock was bought at an average price of $60.97 per share, for a total transaction of $60,970.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director directly owned 51,690 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,151,539.30. This trade represents a 1.97% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Patrick Mcnutt sold 8,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Friday, August 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $67.09, for a total value of $536,720.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 35,777 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,400,278.93. This trade represents a 18.27% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 10,591 shares of company stock valued at $704,303. 1.90% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Trending Headlines about Darling Ingredients

Here are the key news stories impacting Darling Ingredients this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Strong second-quarter performance: Net income reached $387.3 million, while combined adjusted EBITDA rose to $741.7 million. Diamond Green Diesel (DGD) was a major contributor, generating approximately $389.2 million of Darling’s share of adjusted EBITDA. Darling Ingredients second-quarter earnings release
• Positive Sentiment: Capital-return and tax-credit support: The board expanded its share-repurchase authorization to $1 billion, and Darling agreed to sell approximately $150 million of production tax credits, potentially supporting cash flow and shareholder returns. Darling Ingredients press release
• Positive Sentiment: Favorable analyst momentum: Zacks Research upgraded DAR from “hold” to “strong-buy,” while recent broker targets have generally ranged from $70 to $79. Renewable-fuel policy support and tight renewable identification number (RIN) markets are also viewed as potential DGD tailwinds. Zacks Darling Ingredients momentum analysis
• Neutral Sentiment: Rally appears extended: Shares had advanced 12.8% over the preceding week and were approaching their 52-week high, increasing the likelihood of profit-taking and a technical reversal after strong news was already reflected in the valuation.
• Negative Sentiment: Execution risks remain: Analysts cited rising costs, flat feedstock throughput and capacity constraints. Future DGD profitability also depends on renewable-fuel policy, RIN prices and other market inputs. Zacks Darling Ingredients risk analysis
• Negative Sentiment: Mixed trading signals: Company insiders reported more selling than buying over the past six months, while institutional activity was broadly balanced but included sizable reductions by several funds. These signals may have added to short-term selling pressure.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Darling Ingredients

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Darling Ingredients by 69.9% in the 1st quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. now owns 423 shares of the company’s stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 174 shares during the period. Turtle Creek Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Darling Ingredients by 2.6% in the first quarter. Turtle Creek Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 7,625 shares of the company’s stock worth $472,000 after purchasing an additional 196 shares in the last quarter. Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Darling Ingredients by 2.9% during the first quarter. Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 7,776 shares of the company’s stock worth $481,000 after purchasing an additional 220 shares during the period. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Darling Ingredients by 3.6% during the fourth quarter. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. now owns 7,701 shares of the company’s stock worth $277,000 after purchasing an additional 267 shares during the period. Finally, Basecamp Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in Darling Ingredients by 35.0% during the first quarter. Basecamp Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,042 shares of the company’s stock valued at $64,000 after purchasing an additional 270 shares in the last quarter. 94.44% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Darling Ingredients Price Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of $10.35 billion, a PE ratio of 17.67 and a beta of 1.02. The company has a quick ratio of 1.03, a current ratio of 1.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $59.86 and its 200 day moving average is $58.29.

Darling Ingredients (NYSE:DAR) last released its earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $2.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.40 by $1.01. The company had revenue of $1.72 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.71 billion. Darling Ingredients had a net margin of 9.13% and a return on equity of 12.98%. The company’s revenue was up 16.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.08 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that Darling Ingredients Inc. will post 6.98 earnings per share for the current year.

Darling Ingredients Company Profile

Darling Ingredients Inc (NYSE: DAR) is a global leader in converting edible and inedible bio-nutrient streams into sustainable food, feed ingredients, renewable fuels and specialty products. Founded in 1882 and headquartered in Irving, Texas, the company builds on more than a century of experience in animal rendering and by-product recycling. Over time, Darling has expanded its capabilities beyond traditional rendering to include advanced processing technologies that support a circular economy and reduce waste from food and agricultural industries.

The company’s core operations revolve around four primary segments: Feed Ingredients & Services, Food & Nutrition, Fuel Ingredients & Services, and Specialty Ingredients.