Clorox (NYSE:CLX) Lowered to “Sell” Rating by Wall Street Zen

Wall Street Zen cut shares of Clorox (NYSE:CLX) from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note released on Saturday.

Other equities research analysts have also issued research reports about the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on shares of Clorox from $120.00 to $114.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 16th. TD Cowen restated a “hold” rating on shares of Clorox in a research note on Thursday, January 8th. Barclays reaffirmed an “underweight” rating and set a $109.00 price target on shares of Clorox in a research report on Friday, January 16th. Zacks Research raised Clorox from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 26th. Finally, Citigroup dropped their price objective on shares of Clorox from $120.00 to $109.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Hold rating and four have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Reduce” and an average price target of $122.19.

Clorox Trading Up 1.1%

Shares of Clorox stock opened at $113.46 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $13.84 billion, a PE ratio of 17.81, a P/E/G ratio of 0.57 and a beta of 0.58. Clorox has a 1 year low of $96.66 and a 1 year high of $164.22. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 18.01, a current ratio of 0.76 and a quick ratio of 0.50. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $103.80 and a 200-day moving average price of $114.78.

Clorox (NYSE:CLX) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 3rd. The company reported $0.85 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.78 by $0.07. Clorox had a net margin of 11.68% and a return on equity of 358.39%. The company had revenue of $1.43 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.41 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.86 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was down 18.9% on a year-over-year basis. Clorox has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.950-6.300 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Clorox will post 7.15 EPS for the current year.

Clorox Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 13th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, January 28th will be given a $1.24 dividend. This represents a $4.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.4%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, January 28th. Clorox’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 77.86%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director Pierre R. Breber bought 4,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 21st. The shares were acquired at an average price of $104.13 per share, with a total value of $416,520.00. Following the acquisition, the director owned 13,000 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,353,690. The trade was a 44.44% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.63% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Total Investment Management Inc. purchased a new position in Clorox during the second quarter worth about $25,000. Center for Financial Planning Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Clorox in the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Clorox during the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. American National Bank & Trust grew its holdings in shares of Clorox by 69.5% during the second quarter. American National Bank & Trust now owns 217 shares of the company’s stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 89 shares in the last quarter. Finally, NewSquare Capital LLC increased its position in shares of Clorox by 567.6% in the second quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 227 shares of the company’s stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 193 shares during the last quarter. 78.53% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Clorox News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Clorox this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Clorox agreed to acquire GOJO Industries, the maker of Purell, for $2.25 billion in cash — a strategic push deeper into skin health and hygiene that management says is growth‑accretive and advances its IGNITE plan. The deal expands Clorox’s consumer and professional hygiene footprint and is the primary catalyst for today’s stock strength. Clorox Announces Acquisition of GOJO
• Positive Sentiment: Management updated FY‑2026 EPS guidance to $5.95–$6.30, slightly above consensus, and reiterated revenue targets — a sign the company expects the combined portfolio and cost initiatives to help stabilize growth. This guidance helped reassure investors even as organic revenue pressures persist. (Company guidance release)
• Neutral Sentiment: Deutsche Bank raised its price target on CLX to $114 (keeps a Hold rating), a small incremental positive that signals modest upside in analysts’ view but not a strong buy signal. Deutsche Bank Raises Price Target
• Neutral Sentiment: Broad media and analyst coverage (WSJ, CNBC, MarketWatch) has amplified the deal’s reach and provided investors with deal details and management commentary — increasing attention but not resolving long‑term execution questions. WSJ: Clorox to Buy Purell-Maker
• Negative Sentiment: Some sell‑side skepticism remains: Barclays kept an Underweight (sell) stance despite a small target tweak, and commentary from critics highlights valuation and fundamental concerns that could limit upside until integration is proven. Barclays Remains a Sell
• Negative Sentiment: The deal is being financed with debt, increasing leverage and short‑term balance‑sheet risk; investors will watch integration execution and cost synergy realization closely — these risks are why some analysts remain cautious. WSJ: Deal Financed with Debt
• Negative Sentiment: Critical commentary (e.g., Seeking Alpha) questions whether the acquisition meaningfully fixes Clorox’s underlying growth challenges and suggests the company still needs stronger organic execution — a narrative that could cap the stock if results don’t improve. Seeking Alpha: Adding Sanitizers, But In Need Of Getting Its Hands Dirty

Clorox Company Profile

The Clorox Company is a leading manufacturer and marketer of consumer and professional products designed to help people care for their homes and live healthy, sustainable lives. Its portfolio spans cleaning and household products, food and beverages, water filtration systems and cat litter, serving both retail and institutional customers. The company’s flagship bleach and disinfecting products are well known in the United States and many international markets, where they help prevent the spread of germs in homes, hospitals, schools and businesses.

Clorox’s diverse brand lineup includes liquid bleach and surface cleaners, eco-friendly cleaning tools, food preservation and preparation items, charcoal grills and briquettes, specialty foods and beverages, pet care products and personal care lines.