Astec Industries (NASDAQ:ASTE) Stock Rating Lowered by Zacks Research

Astec Industries (NASDAQ:ASTE) was downgraded by research analysts at Zacks Research from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a report issued on Thursday,Zacks.com reports.

Other equities analysts have also recently issued research reports about the stock. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Astec Industries in a research note on Tuesday. Wall Street Zen cut shares of 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 given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Astec Industries currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy”.

Astec Industries Stock Up 0.2%

Shares of NASDAQ ASTE opened at $44.25 on Thursday. Astec Industries has a 52 week low of $40.47 and a 52 week high of $65.69. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $54.29 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $54.75. The company has a quick ratio of 1.00, a current ratio of 2.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.53. The company has a market cap of $1.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 52.06, a P/E/G ratio of 1.20 and a beta of 1.36.

Astec Industries (NASDAQ:ASTE) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 5th. The industrial products company reported $0.94 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.04 by ($0.10). Astec Industries had a net margin of 1.26% and a return on equity of 10.26%. The company had revenue of $408.10 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $405.50 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.72 earnings per share. Research analysts anticipate that Astec Industries will post 3.36 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Trading of Astec Industries

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Royal Bank of Canada grew its holdings in shares of Astec Industries by 15.6% during the first 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 in the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Astec Industries in the first quarter worth approximately $1,526,000. Millennium Management LLC raised its stake 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 purchasing an additional 96,883 shares in the last quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC raised its stake in Astec Industries by 2.1% in 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 purchasing an additional 1,358 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Jane Street Group LLC lifted its position 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 purchasing an additional 1,305 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 93.16% of the company’s stock.

Astec Industries News Roundup

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

Astec Industries Company Profile

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.