Kenvue Inc. (KVUE), a global consumer health company, is dedicated to delivering trusted personal care, health, and wellness products. Headquartered in Skillman, New Jersey, Kenvue offers a portfolio of iconic brands across self-care, skin health, and essential health categories. With a market cap of $40.9 billion, the company leverages innovation and scientific expertise to enhance everyday health for consumers worldwide.
Shares of Kenvue have underperformed the broader market considerably over the past year. KVUE stock has gained 4.1% over this time frame, while the broader S&P 500 Index ($SPX) has rallied nearly 23.3%. In 2025, KVUE rose 1.7%, compared to SPX’s 3.2% rise on a YTD basis.
Narrowing the focus, Kenvue lagged behind the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLP) over the past year, with the ETF gaining about 8.5%. However, on a YTD basis, the ETF’s 1.4% return trailed KVUE’s performance.
Following Kenvue’s Q3 earnings release on Nov. 7, shares rose more than 3% in the next trading session. Net sales for the quarter amounted to $3.9 billion, slightly missing Wall Street’s estimate. The company’s adjusted EPS of $0.28 exceeded expectations of $0.27, despite a 9.7% year-over-year drop.
For fiscal 2024, Kenvue anticipates net sales growth and organic growth to be at the lower end of its guidance, projecting net sales growth between 1% and 3% and organic growth between 2% and 4%, with an estimated 1% currency headwind. The company also reaffirms its adjusted EPS forecast of $1.10 to $1.20, underpinned by strong productivity and efficiency improvements, supporting ongoing investments in brand activation.
For the current fiscal year, which ended in December, analysts expect KVUE’s EPS to decline 11.6% to $1.14 on a diluted basis. The company’s earnings surprise history is impressive. It beat the consensus estimate in each of the last four quarters.
Among the 15 analysts covering KVUE stock, the consensus is a “Moderate Buy.” That’s based on six “Strong Buy” ratings, eight “Holds,” and one “Strong Sell.”
This configuration is more bullish than one month ago when five analysts suggested a “Strong Buy.”
On Jan. 16, UBS lowered its price target on Kenvue to $23 from $24 while maintaining a “Neutral” rating. The firm notes that sentiment around Consumer Staples remains bearish, with the sector underperforming the broader market by nearly 50% over the past two years.
The mean price target of $23.57 represents an 8.5% premium to KVUE’s current price levels. The Street-high price target of $27 suggests an upside potential of 24.3%.
