Analysts at Jefferies recently endorsed Donaldson Company, Inc. (DCI) with a “Buy” rating, significantly raising the price target to $120 from a previous estimate of $97.67. This upward revision suggests a robust outlook for Donaldson, indicating a potential upside from its current trading price of $93.02. Investors may find this rating particularly encouraging as it reflects confidence in Donaldson’s operational resilience and growth prospects.
Recent Price Action
In the last trading sessions, DCI’s stock has exhibited notable volatility, characterized by an increase of 2.25%, which translates to a $2.09 uptick, boosting its market value to approximately $11 billion. The stock currently trades close to its week 52 high of $95.10, just $2.08 lower, with a year-to-date appreciation of about 38.24%. The daily trading volume has been relatively active, with 123,240 shares changing hands, though this is below the average volume of approximately 663,445. Coupled with a beta of 0.99, DCI appears to follow the market closely while exhibiting stable volatility.
Historical Performance
Over various time frames, Donaldson has delivered solid returns. The stock’s performance over the past month has shown modest growth of 0.63%. In comparison, over the past quarter, shares surged by 12.94%, reflecting a resurgence in investor interest. More impressively, the past year has seen a 38.24% increase, outpacing broader market benchmarks. However, weekly volatility remains at 2.02%, suggesting that while DCI is generally stable, occasional price fluctuations do occur that investors should monitor closely.
Earnings Analysis
On Dec 4, 2025, Donaldson reported earnings per share (EPS) of $0.94, exceeding analysts’ expectations of $0.923 — a positive surprise of nearly 1.84%. This follows a somewhat stronger performance in the previous quarter, where the company reported an EPS of $1.03 against an estimate of $1.02. Such consistent positive surprises hint at a solid operating environment for DCI and could suggest strong revenue generation mechanisms in place.
Analyst Consensus View
With Jefferies leading the charge with its upgrade, the consensus view on DCI remains favorable. Currently, the stock holds six total ratings: three “Buy” and three “Hold,” with no “Sell” ratings. The average price target stands at approximately $97.67, with a range from a conservative $84 to an optimistic $120. This balanced sentiment suggests that most analysts see room for growth but have varying perspectives on the speed and scale of that growth.
Stock Grading or Fundamental View
Donaldson’s Stocks Telegraph grade stands at 55, indicating a solid, if not exceptional, investment profile. This metric aggregates various aspects of a company’s health and market position, this implies that while Donaldson may not be a top-tier performer, its fundamental strength and operational consistency are reassuring for investors.
Conclusion
For investors contemplating exposure to Donaldson Company, Inc. (DCI), the recent analyst upgrade alongside a compelling price target suggests a favorable entry point for both growth-oriented and moderate risk tolerance strategies. With its demonstrated earnings resilience, trailing performance, and stable market behavior, DCI could suit those in search of a blend of growth and defensive investment. However, potential investors should remain cognizant of the inherent risks associated with stock volatility and keep abreast of any shifts within the competitive landscape. Overall, Donaldson’s stock is worth watching, especially as it approaches its new price target of $120.