UBS upgrades Scotts Miracle-Gro stock to Buy despite lower target
Published on 10/18/2026 at 13:08 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSAnalyst action and earnings
- On October 15, 2026, UBS shifted its rating to Buy and cut its target from USD 78.00 to USD 70.00.
- Fiscal third-quarter 2026 revenue reached USD 1.17 billion and rose 1.00 percent year over year.
- SMG stock was last quoted at EUR 47.92 in Frankfurt on October 16, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. GMT+2.
Scotts Miracle-Gro (ISIN US8101861065) became the subject of a UBS rating upgrade on October 15, 2026, when the bank moved the stock from Neutral to Buy but cut its price target from USD 78.00 to USD 70.00. Markets Insider reported that analyst Peter Grom saw a path to earnings growth through fiscal 2027, despite inflationary pressure.
UBS weighs growth against valuation
The rating change followed a sharp reassessment of the target rather than a simple bullish forecast. UBS lowered the target by USD 8.00, or 10.26 percent, while changing its recommendation from Neutral to Buy. The bank said the company had underperformed since its early-August analyst day and that the market appeared skeptical about future earnings growth.
The US listing remains NYSE: SMG. The finance data snapshot dated October 16, 2026 put the market capitalization at USD 3.2 billion and the 52-week range at USD 47.90 to USD 75.34. The stock's US quote was USD 54.57 at 8:00 p.m. ET on October 16, 2026.
What does the earnings beat mean?
Scotts Miracle-Gro's fiscal third-quarter 2026 revenue was USD 1.17 billion, up 1.00 percent from the prior-year quarter, while operating profit reached USD 169.6 million and the operating margin was 14.00 percent. The quarterly result also included adjusted earnings per share of USD 2.82 against a USD 2.48 estimate, according to Nasdaq.
That comparison gives the UBS upgrade a concrete operating backdrop, but the target reduction shows that valuation and execution remain contested. The company operates in branded lawn and garden products, including Scotts, Miracle-Gro, Ortho and Tomcat, according to its investor-relations overview.
Two dates frame the next test
The next scheduled reporting date is November 4, 2026, when the company is due to discuss fiscal fourth-quarter 2026 results after the market close, according to Scotts Miracle-Gro. A separate October 16, 2026 filing also described a separation agreement linked to former strategy chief Christopher J. Hagedorn's departure, including 24 months of salary severance and a bonus amount equal to 2.00 times his target bonus opportunity, according to the SEC filing.
Euro quote stays a dated reference
The last available euro quote stood at EUR 47.92 in Frankfurt on October 16, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. GMT+2. The dated quote offers German investors a venue-specific reference while the UBS action and the November reporting date define the next stock-specific checkpoints.
The further course of trading is shown by the continuously updated real-time quote of SMG stock.
SMG stock key facts
- Company: The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
- ISIN: US8101861065
- WKN: 883369
- Ticker: SMG
- Primary exchange: NYSE
- Market capitalization: USD 3.2 billion (as of October 16, 2026)
- 52-week range: USD 47.90-75.34 (as of October 16, 2026)
- Sector / Industry: Basic Materials / Agricultural Inputs
- Last euro quote: EUR 47.92 in Frankfurt on October 16, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. GMT+2
- Next earnings date: November 4, 2026
Market context: Market report S&P 500.
