Wells Fargo lifts target for Ashland stock to USD 75.00
Published on 10/17/2026 at 19:12 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSAnalyst and operating figures
- On October 16, 2026, Wells Fargo analyst Abigail Eberts lifted the target from USD 70.00 to USD 75.00.
- Ashland sales rose 7.00 percent year over year to USD 497.00 million in the third quarter of 2026.
- Ashland stock last traded at USD 71.15 at 4:00 p.m. ET on October 16, 2026, down 0.61 percent versus the NYSE prior close.
- Ashland paid a quarterly dividend of USD 0.42 per share, equal to a 2.40 percent yield, according to MarketBeat on October 13, 2026.
Wells Fargo analyst Abigail Eberts lifted the Ashland target from USD 70.00 to USD 75.00 on October 16, 2026, according to Markets Insider. The new target was 5.41 percent above Ashland's USD 71.15 last price.
Target moves above the market
The Wells Fargo change leaves Ashland with an Equal Weight rating, while the target rose by USD 5.00 from the firm's previous USD 70.00 level. The target distance is calculated against the NYSE price, so the comparison remains in one currency. For investors, the key question is whether improving sales can offset pressure on profitability.
Sales grew in the third quarter
Ashland's fiscal third-quarter 2026 sales rose 7.00 percent year over year to USD 497.00 million, while EBITDA declined 4.00 percent as margin pressure offset segment growth, according to Quartr on October 9, 2026. The combination gives the target revision a mixed operating backdrop rather than a simple growth signal.
Price stays inside the yearly range
Ashland last traded at USD 71.15 on October 16, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. ET, down 0.61 percent against the USD 71.59 NYSE prior close. The 52-week range was USD 47.12 to USD 78.25, placing the stock 9.07 percent below its high and 51.02 percent above its low. The session volume was 429,998 shares against an average of 672,310.
Valuation and shareholder return
Ashland had a market capitalization of USD 3.3 billion and a P/E ratio of 62.96 as of October 16, 2026. The company paid a quarterly dividend of USD 0.42 per share, equivalent to a 2.40 percent yield, according to MarketBeat on October 13, 2026. Its 200-day moving average stood at USD 64.55 in the same report, below the last price.
Comparison with peers
ASH (NYSE, USD): minus 0.61 percent, P/E 62.96, market capitalization USD 3.3 billion.
Dow Inc. (NYSE, USD): plus 0.91 percent, P/E minus 16.48, market capitalization USD 21.6 billion.
DuPont de Nemours (NYSE, USD): minus 0.87 percent, P/E 289.89, market capitalization USD 17.6 billion.
Stock level and next signals
The analyst target, operating figures and shareholder return point to three separate valuation anchors. Ashland's next reported quarter remains the key calendar marker for testing whether sales growth can translate into stronger earnings.
Market context: Market report S&P 500.
