Zurn Elkay Water Downgraded: Analyst Cautions Of Incremental Cracks Nearterm Amid Demand Slowdown
Portfolio Pulse from Nabaparna Bhattacharya
KeyBanc analyst Jeffrey D. Hammond downgraded Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation (NYSE:ZWS) to Sector Weight from Overweight due to a weaker non-residential backdrop and emerging incremental cracks in demand. While institutional end markets remain relatively stable, commercial sales are weaker, and the analyst believes that shares are priced for optimistic outcomes. The secular momentum in drinking water may provide some offset, but upward earnings momentum is expected to be challenging. The analyst sees ZWS's long-term outgrowth as less dependent on Hygienics, which may now act more cyclically. The risk/reward for ZWS is now viewed as more balanced, and further re-rating and upward revisions may be difficult amidst weaker demand.

December 13, 2023 | 6:14 pm
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Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation was downgraded by KeyBanc analyst Jeffrey D. Hammond to Sector Weight from Overweight due to concerns over a weaker non-residential sector and demand slowdown, which may hinder upward earnings momentum.
The downgrade by a KeyBanc analyst is a significant indicator of the company's near-term prospects. The mention of weaker non-residential demand and the pricing of shares for optimistic outcomes suggest that the stock may face downward pressure. The analyst's view that the risk/reward has become more balanced indicates a neutral to negative outlook, which could lead to a decrease in investor confidence and a potential decline in the stock price in the short term.
CONFIDENCE 90
IMPORTANCE 85
RELEVANCE 100