FMC Corporation (NYSE:FMC) has received a significant downgrade from Zacks Research, which has shifted its rating from a hold to a strong sell. This change, communicated to investors in a research note on February 6, 2026, follows a series of similar negative assessments from other financial institutions.
Several financial analysts have adjusted their price targets for FMC shares in recent days. The Royal Bank of Canada lowered its target from $16.00 to $14.00, maintaining a “sector perform” rating. Meanwhile, Morgan Stanley revised its price objective downwards from $17.00 to $15.50 with an “equal weight” rating. In a separate report, JPMorgan Chase & Co. dramatically decreased its target from $43.00 to $14.00, assigning a “neutral” rating. Additionally, The Goldman Sachs Group adjusted its price target from $43.00 to $19.00, while also maintaining a “buy” rating.
According to data from MarketBeat, the consensus rating for FMC is currently categorized as “Reduce,” and the average target price stands at $22.13. Analysts have issued a mix of ratings, with two assigning a buy rating, nine issuing a hold rating, and three suggesting a sell.
Current Stock Performance and Financial Metrics
On February 6, FMC shares opened at $16.07. The company displays a current ratio of 1.32, a quick ratio of 1.00, and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.32. Over the past year, FMC has experienced a low of $12.17 and reached a high of $44.78. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $14.62, while the 200-day moving average is $24.29. The company boasts a market capitalization of $2.01 billion and exhibits a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of -0.90.
FMC reported its earnings results on February 4, 2026. The company posted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.20, falling slightly short of the consensus estimate of $1.21. The results indicated a negative net margin of 64.57% alongside a positive return on equity of 10.10%. Revenue for the quarter reached $1.08 billion, which was below analyst expectations of $1.15 billion. This revenue also marked an 11.5% decline compared to the same quarter last year. FMC’s guidance indicates a projected EPS range of -0.440 to -0.320 for Q1 2026, and an annual forecast between 1.630 and 1.890 EPS.
Dividend Announcement and Institutional Activity
Recently, FMC declared a quarterly dividend of $0.08 per share, which was paid on January 15, 2026, to shareholders on record as of December 31, 2025. This results in an annualized dividend of $0.32, yielding approximately 2.0%. The company’s current payout ratio stands at -1.79%.
Institutional investments in FMC have seen notable changes. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV increased its stake by 180.1% in the second quarter, now holding 815 shares valued at approximately $34,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC also boosted its position by 201.2%, now owning 5,076 shares worth around $212,000. Other hedge funds like Armistice Capital LLC and Entropy Technologies LP have made new investments, highlighting active institutional interest. Presently, institutional and hedge fund ownership accounts for 91.86% of FMC’s stock.
Recent news impacting FMC includes management’s scheduled presentation at the Bank of America Global Agriculture & Materials conference on February 25, 2026. This forum will provide CEO Pierre Brondeau and CFO Andrew Sandifer an opportunity to update investors and clarify guidance, potentially alleviating concerns related to tariffs and earnings.
Speculation surrounding a potential sale of FMC has also emerged, as noted in a report by Chemical & Engineering News. While this may drive interest, the timing and outcome remain uncertain. Additionally, broader sector strength in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) market in India, as well as discussions around mid-cap ETFs, may support sentiment for FMC, although these factors do not directly influence the company’s fundamentals.
In contrast, the downgrade by Zacks has increased selling pressure, which could deter potential buyers until management restores confidence through improved communication or results. The company also faces challenges from tariff pressures and disappointing Q4 results, leading to downward revisions in guidance and increased near-term risk. Notably, short interest in FMC shares surged by approximately 19.7% in January, indicating heightened selling activity and potential volatility.
FMC Corporation, established in 1883 as the Bean Spray Pump Company, is a global leader in agricultural sciences, focusing on developing and marketing crop protection products. Its offerings include herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and plant nutrition solutions aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability.
