Research analysts at Zacks Research have revised their earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Avantor, Inc. (NYSE: AVTR) for the first quarter of 2026. In a report released on March 5, 2026, analysts now forecast that the company will achieve EPS of $0.17, down from the previous estimate of $0.20. Zacks maintains a “Strong Sell” rating on Avantor stock, reflecting ongoing concerns about the company’s financial performance.
The consensus estimate for Avantor’s full-year earnings for 2026 stands at $1.06 per share. In addition to the Q1 projection, Zacks has provided estimates for subsequent quarters, anticipating earnings of $0.20 for Q2 2026 and $0.21 for Q3 2026. For the entire fiscal year of 2026, the expected EPS is $0.81. Looking further ahead, estimates for Q1 2027 are at $0.21, with full-year EPS for 2027 and 2028 projected at $0.82 and $0.84, respectively.
In its most recent earnings report released on February 11, 2026, Avantor reported EPS of $0.22, slightly exceeding analysts’ predictions of $0.21. The company generated $1.66 billion in revenue, surpassing estimates of $1.64 billion. However, it recorded a negative net margin of 8.09% and a return on equity of 10.45%, with revenue declining by 1.4% year-over-year.
As of now, Avantor has set its FY 2026 guidance in the range of $0.770 to $0.830 EPS. Following the earnings report, shares of Avantor opened at $8.18 on Friday, reflecting a 4.0% decrease in value. The company currently has a market capitalization of $5.58 billion, with a price-to-earnings ratio of -10.49.
Insider Trading Activity
Recent insider trading activity has also drawn attention. On February 19, 2026, Director Gregory T. Lucier purchased 50,000 shares of Avantor at an average price of $9.16 per share, amounting to a total transaction of $458,000. This acquisition increased Lucier’s ownership in the company to shares valued at approximately $458,000.
Another notable transaction involved Director Gregory L. Summe, who acquired 100,000 shares at an average cost of $9.40 per share on February 12, 2026, totaling $940,000. Following this transaction, Summe’s ownership grew to 400,000 shares, valued at $3.76 million. These insider trades reflect growing confidence among company leadership despite broader market uncertainties.
Institutional Investor Activity
Institutional investors and hedge funds have also been active in adjusting their positions in Avantor. Dodge & Cox increased its stake by 0.3% in the third quarter, now holding 117,746,888 shares valued at approximately $1.47 billion. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake by 1.8%, owning 65,988,977 shares worth roughly $823.5 million.
Other notable changes include Barrow Hanley Mewhinney & Strauss LLC, which increased its holdings by 10.8%, and Greenhaven Associates Inc., which raised its position by 12.0% in the fourth quarter. Currently, institutional investors control approximately 95.08% of Avantor’s stock.
Avantor, Inc. is recognized as a global provider of essential products and services across various sectors, including biopharma, healthcare, and advanced technologies. The company specializes in high-purity chemicals, biologics, and lab equipment, which are vital for research and production in numerous industries. Despite current challenges reflected in earnings estimates and stock performance, Avantor continues to play a significant role in supporting critical applications worldwide.
