Avient Corp (AVNT): Middle East Events Seen Causing Cost Pressures But Cash Position Is Solid

Avient Corp (NYSE:AVNT) is among the best 3D printing stocks to buy according to hedge funds. On March 4, KeyBanc downgraded its rating on Avient Corp (NYSE:AVNT) to Sector Weight from Overweight. For this action, the firm cited rising costs of Avient’s raw materials.

Avient Corp (AVNT): Middle East Events Seen Causing Cost Pressures But Cash Position Is Solid

According to KeyBanc, 35% of Avient’s materials are hydrocarbon-based. The firm sees Avient’s business taking a hit as a result of surging oil prices due to the events in the Middle East. Besides rising raw materials costs, KeyBanc believes Avient could face weak demand for its products due to war-related inflationary pressures. In this light, the firm sees a higher likelihood of estimates being revised downward rather than upward.

Before the flare-up in the Middle East, Avient Corp (NYSE:AVNT) had forecast Q1 2026 adjusted EPS of $0.81, reflecting a 7% growth over the previous quarter. It projected full-year 2026 adjusted EPS in the band of $2.93 to $3.17, representing a growth of 4% to 12%.

Additionally, the company expected to deliver free cash flow of more than $200 million in 2026. The management said that this free cash flow combined with the company’s solid balance sheet cash position would provide “greater flexibility for cash deployment in the future.” The company finished 2025 with $510.5 million in cash and cash equivalents.

On February 16, Avient Corp (NYSE:AVNT) announced that it will distribute a quarterly dividend of $0.275 per share on April 3 to shareholders of record as of March 17.

Avient Corp (NYSE:AVNT) is a global provider of specialty materials. These include high-temperature resins, custom colorants, and high-performance polymers. Avient’s materials enable customers to use 3D printing to produce prototypes and production parts. The company serves customers in industries like aerospace, healthcare, and consumer goods.

While we acknowledge the risk and potential of AVNT as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than AVNT and that has 10,000% upside potential, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock.

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