West Pharmaceutical stock holds firm as analysts lift targets
Published on 08/20/2026 at 21:48 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
West Pharmaceutical stock (US9523901012) closed at $349.42 on August 14, 2026, after a 0.94% gain, and its market cap stood at $24.59 billion. The move came as the latest quoted session showed a 52-week range of $223.83 to $386.00 and a trailing P/E of 44.63.
Price and valuation
The stock finished the August 14 session above its previous close of $346.16, with volume at 272,152 shares and an average volume of 756,737. That leaves the shares 1.1% below the 52-week high and 56.1% above the 52-week low, a setup that keeps valuation in view for investors.
MarketScreener's consensus page showed a last close price of $352.79 on August 19, 2026, a mean BUY recommendation from 16 analysts, and an average target price of $404.73. The same page also showed a 1st Jan change of +25.83%, which helps explain why the stock still trades with a premium multiple.
Analyst backdrop
The research tape has stayed constructive. MarketScreener listed target updates from Evercore ISI at $425, BNP Paribas at $459, Jefferies at $410, Deutsche Bank at $420, and Citigroup at $412, all in July or August 2026.
That range matters because it frames the gap between the August 19 close of $352.79 and the average target of $404.73 at 14.72%. In practical terms, the stock has already had a strong year, but the published target cluster still leaves room for debate on how much of the growth story is already reflected.
Go deeper
West makes containment and delivery systems for injectable drugs, including stoppers, seals, syringe components, and self-injection devices. Its business is split between Proprietary Products and Contract-Manufactured Products, with a large exposure to pharmaceutical and biotech customers.
Latest reported quarter
The newest earnings material in the quoted source set points to Q2 FY26, where revenue was $872.3 million and earnings were $154 million. The same snapshot showed adjusted EPS of $2.37 versus an estimate of $2.08, a 14.0% beat, plus operating margin of 20.5%.
That combination of $872.3 million in revenue, $2.37 adjusted EPS, and 20.5% operating margin is the most useful current fundamental read-through for the stock. It also explains why analyst targets remain clustered well above the last close even after the shares have already moved 27.00% year to date in the quoted market snapshot.
Product lens
West's injectable-drug packaging and delivery systems remain the core product set behind the quarter's numbers. For investors, the key question is whether proprietary components and delivery devices keep supporting margin after the Q2 FY26 surprise.
Stock level
As of August 14, 2026, West Pharmaceutical stock was priced at $349.42 in the quoted session, with after-hours trading also shown at $349.42. The market cap was $24.59 billion on the same snapshot, keeping the company in large-cap territory.
Company
Company: West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.
ISIN: US9523901012
Ticker: WST
Exchange: NYSE
Price (as of August 14, 2026, 4:01 p.m. ET): $349.42 USD
Market cap: $24.59 billion (as of August 14, 2026)
Sector / Industry: Healthcare / Medical Instruments & Supplies
Index membership: S&P 500
