Astec Industries (NASDAQ:ASTE) Lowered to Strong Sell Rating by Zacks Research

Zacks Research lowered shares of Astec Industries (NASDAQ:ASTE) from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note issued to investors on Thursday morning,Zacks.com reports.

Several other analysts also recently issued reports on ASTE. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Astec Industries in a report on Tuesday. Wall Street Zen cut Astec Industries from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, July 4th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy”.

Astec Industries Trading Up 0.2%

Shares of ASTE stock opened at $44.25 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.00, a current ratio of 2.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.53. Astec Industries has a fifty-two week low of $40.47 and a fifty-two week high of $65.69. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $54.29 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $54.75. The stock has a market cap of $1.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 52.06, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.20 and a beta of 1.36.

Astec Industries (NASDAQ:ASTE) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, August 5th. The industrial products company reported $0.94 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.04 by ($0.10). The business had revenue of $408.10 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $405.50 million. Astec Industries had a net margin of 1.26% and a return on equity of 10.26%. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.72 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that Astec Industries will post 3.36 EPS for the current year.

Astec Industries Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 28th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 10th will be paid a dividend of $0.13 per share. This represents a $0.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.2%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 10th. Astec Industries’s dividend payout ratio is 61.18%.

Institutional Trading of Astec Industries

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in ASTE. Royal Bank of Canada increased its position in shares of Astec Industries by 15.6% in the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 65,654 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $2,262,000 after purchasing an additional 8,847 shares during the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Astec Industries in the first quarter worth about $1,526,000. Millennium Management LLC increased its holdings in Astec Industries by 188.2% in the first quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 148,351 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $5,111,000 after buying an additional 96,883 shares during the last quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC raised its stake in Astec Industries by 2.1% during the first quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 65,577 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $2,259,000 after buying an additional 1,358 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Jane Street Group LLC raised its stake in Astec Industries by 2.9% during the first quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 46,566 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $1,604,000 after buying an additional 1,305 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 93.16% of the company’s stock.

More Astec Industries News

Here are the key news stories impacting Astec Industries this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Second-quarter sales exceeded expectations, backlog increased significantly, and demand in Materials Solutions and the aftermarket remained supportive. Management also highlighted growth opportunities and healthy cash flow, although shipment timing remains a risk. ASTE’s Q2 Earnings Miss Estimates on Higher Interest Expense
• Positive Sentiment: Sidoti raised its fourth-quarter 2026 EPS estimate to $1.37 from $1.29, suggesting expectations for improved results later in the year. Sidoti estimate update
• Neutral Sentiment: Analysts noted that ASTE’s valuation appears inexpensive relative to its growth potential, while its rising backlog and aftermarket strength provide a longer-term support case. However, investors must weigh those positives against near-term execution risks. Is ASTE Stock a Buy Now on Cheap Valuation Despite Execution Risk?
• Negative Sentiment: Astec lowered its 2026 adjusted EBITDA outlook to $160 million-$175 million as asphalt-plant order delays shift deliveries and pressure shipment timing. Astec forecasts 2026 adjusted EBITDA amid asphalt plant delivery shifts
• Negative Sentiment: Second-quarter EPS was $0.94, below the $1.04 consensus estimate. Higher interest expense added to the earnings pressure, and the reduced outlook has weakened confidence in near-term results. ASTE’s Q2 Earnings Miss Estimates on Higher Interest Expense
• Negative Sentiment: Sidoti cut its FY2026 EPS estimate to $3.36 from $3.63 and reduced its FY2027 estimate to $3.84 from $4.06, reflecting concerns about execution and delayed orders. Sidoti estimate revisions

About Astec Industries

Astec Industries, Inc is a designer and manufacturer of specialized equipment for infrastructure-related markets. Headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the company develops, engineers and produces machinery for asphalt road-building, aggregate processing, concrete production, underground mining, landscaping and utility installation. Astec’s product portfolio includes asphalt plants, portable crushers, conveyors, screening plants, mixers, continuous miners and related support equipment.

Organized into multiple operating segments—Roadbuilding; Aggregate & Mining; Energy; and Pavement Preservation & Maintenance—Astec Industries serves contractors and municipalities that build and maintain transportation, energy and utility networks.