Air Liquide's Stock Declines Mid-Morning but Maintains Analysts' Appetite
Air Liquide's stock is down 1.26% this Thursday, February 5th at midday, trading at 166.46 euros after closing at 168.58 euros the previous day. This consolidation movement comes as the stock of the industrial gas giant remains on an upward trend over the week with a gain of 6.39%.
Short-Term Trends and Technical Indicators
Despite the morning decline, Air Liquide is trading above its short-term moving averages, indicating a recent upward momentum. The stock is trading well above its 50-day moving average set at 159.97 euros, confirming a recovery after several challenging weeks. However, the 200-day moving average stands at 172.25 euros, highlighting a still negative long-term trend with an annual performance of -0.81%. In terms of momentum indicators, the RSI is at 69, close to the overbought zone without actually reaching it, suggesting that the recent upward movement still has some room. The Scholes indicator continues to generate a buy signal, while the immediate resistance level is positioned at 168.30 euros, just above yesterday's closing price. Breaking this threshold could pave the way for a continuation of the recovery initiated in recent days. Over three months, the performance remains slightly negative at -1.17%, illustrating the market's hesitation on the valuation of the Parisian group.
Analysts' Continued Positive Outlook
Analysts continue to maintain a positive outlook on Air Liquide, despite some recent adjustments to their price targets. On January 28th, Bernstein reiterated its outperformance recommendation while lowering its price target from 192 to 189 euros, representing a potential upside of 13.2% from the current price. This moderate revision reflects sustained confidence in the prospects of the gas specialist for industry and healthcare. Earlier in the month, on January 13th, UBS also renewed its buy recommendation, adjusting its target from 205 to 200 euros. This target implies a potential appreciation of nearly 20% from the current level, reflecting the positive expectations of the Swiss bank on the group's ability to capitalize on its global positions. These recommendations come as the annual 2025 results are approaching, scheduled for February 20th. This deadline will be closely watched by investors to assess the robustness of the French leader's growth in a contrasting economic environment.
