With a market cap of $20.9 billion, International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF) is a global leader in flavors, fragrances, and health and biosciences, combining science, creativity, and innovation to enhance everyday products. The company develops sustainable solutions that promote wellness, delight the senses, and improve the human experience.
Shares of the New York-based company have outperformed the broader market over the past 52 weeks. IFF stock has soared 25.9% over this time frame, while the broader S&P 500 Index ($SPX) has gained 20.1%. Moreover, the stock has increased nearly 22% on a YTD basis, compared to SPX's 13.1% return.
Looking closer, shares of the ingredients producer have outpaced the State Street Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF's (XLB) 16.5% rise over the past 52 weeks.
IFF shares surged 8.9% following its Q2 2026 results on Aug. 4, with continuing-operations sales of $1.95 billion, adjusted operating EBITDA of $408 million and adjusted EPS of $0.82, while currency-neutral sales and adjusted EBITDA both grew 6% year-over-year. Investor sentiment was further boosted by IFF’s portfolio transformation and capital-return plans, including approximately $3.8 billion in net proceeds from the Food Ingredients divestiture, plans to reduce debt by more than $1 billion, and an enhanced $2.5 billion share-repurchase authorization featuring a $500 million accelerated buyback in H2 2026.
The company also provided 2026 continuing-operations guidance of $7.4 billion - $7.6 billion in sales and $1.53 billion - $1.60 billion in adjusted operating EBITDA, with expected 2% - 4% sales growth and 4% - 8% EBITDA growth, reinforcing expectations for a simpler, higher-growth and higher-margin business.
For the fiscal year ending in December 2026, analysts expect International Flavors & Fragrances' adjusted EPS to drop 27.1% year-over-year to $3.06. The company's earnings surprise history is mixed. It beat the consensus estimates in two of the last four quarters while missing on two other occasions.
Among the 21 analysts covering the stock, the consensus rating is a “Moderate Buy.” That’s based on 13 “Strong Buy” ratings, two “Moderate Buys,” five “Holds,” and one “Strong Sell.”
This configuration has remained unchanged over the past three months.
On May 7, Barclays analyst Lauren Lieberman raised IFF’s price target to $90 and maintained an “Overweight” rating.
The mean price target of $94.44 represents a 15.4% premium to IFF’s current price levels. The Street-high price target of $105 suggests a 28.3% potential upside.
