On January 9, 2026, Generac Holdings Inc. (GNRC) was upgraded to an “Outperform” rating by Michael Halloran of Baird, setting a price target of $215. This optimistic outlook comes at a time when the stock is priced at approximately $148.79, suggesting a significant potential upside that could pique the interest of investors looking for growth opportunities in the energy solutions sector.
Recent Price Action
In recent trading sessions, GNRC has exhibited notable volatility, closing at $148.79. The stock has experienced a change of $1.91, which translates to an increase of 1.28%. Despite this increase, the stock remains $26.79 shy of its 52-week high and above its 52-week low of $49.54, indicating a fluctuating performance over the past year. With a trading volume of 266,461 shares compared to an average volume of 1,164,738, investor sentiment appears mixed. Market capitalization currently stands at approximately $8.84 billion, and the stock boasts a beta of 1.828, suggesting a higher volatility compared to the overall market.
Historical Performance
The stock’s historical performance reflects considerable challenges over the past year, with a 5.23% decline over the last 12 months. In the last 90 days, GNRC has seen a quarterly drop of 10.88%, while its performance over the last 30 days has further deteriorated by 8.34%. Such declines are noteworthy against a backdrop of broader market conditions. Weekly volatility recorded at 3.39% and monthly volatility standing at 3.74% underscore a turbulent trading environment, contributing to an average trading volume of 814,270 shares over the past ten days and 1,106,074 over the last three months.
Earnings Analysis
In its recent earnings report, Generac reported an actual earnings per share (EPS) of $1.12, significantly missing the consensus estimate of $2.25, which reflects a surprise factor of -50.22%. This disappointing performance also contrasts sharply with the previous quarter’s EPS of $1.65, which had exceeded estimates by 24.06%. Such discrepancies raise questions about the company’s earnings predictability and could lead to more caution among investors in the near term.
Consensus Ratings
The consensus view on GNRC remains cautiously optimistic. With 12 ratings tallied over the last 90 days, eight analysts have issued “Buy” ratings while four suggest holding the stock, with no sell recommendations noted. The average price target from these analysts sits at $214.42, aligning closely with Halloran’s outlook of $215, which could suggest a degree of consensus regarding potential upside among analysts. The highest price target stands at $248, which indicates further optimism from some quarters, while the lowest is set at $195.
Stock Grading or Fundamental View
Generac Holdings Inc. has a Stocks Telegraph Grade (ST Score) of 54, which reflects moderate overall health and investment potential. This grade encapsulates a range of financial and market analysis metrics, suggesting that while the company faces challenges, it may still offer avenues for long-term growth or recovery.
Conclusion
For investors considering GNRC, the stock may be most appealing to those looking for potential long-term growth despite recent performance challenges. The significant analyst upgrades and the strong upside potential relative to its current price indicate that there could be value in holding the stock through its recovery phase. However, prospective investors should be mindful of the recent earnings miss, which highlights risks related to earnings quality and predictability. As GNRC navigates the choppy waters of market sentiment, it remains a stock worth watching for those who can tolerate some volatility in pursuit of growth.