Wells Fargo Cuts Clorox (CLX) Price Target as 2026 Staples Models Are Updated

The Clorox Company (NYSE:CLX) is included among the 13 Best Consumer Staples Dividend Stocks to Invest in Now.

On January 5, Wells Fargo cut its price target on The Clorox Company (NYSE:CLX) to $108 from $117 and kept an Equal Weight rating on the stock. The move came as Wells updated its models across Beverage, Food, and Home and Personal Care and rolled those assumptions into 2026.

Back in November, Clorox delivered a stronger-than-expected first quarter. Demand for cleaning products remained strong and drove results ahead of forecasts. The company reported adjusted earnings of $0.85 per share, beating estimates of $0.79, based on LSEG data.

Revenue dropped 19% to $1.43 billion, but still came in above expectations of $1.40 billion. Management had already flagged lower shipments for the quarter, as retailers pulled forward inventory ahead of the company’s system upgrade. That dynamic showed up in the numbers, but it was not a surprise.

The Clorox Company (NYSE:CLX) maintained its full-year outlook. The company continues to expect sales to fall between 6% and 10%, with adjusted earnings projected at $5.95 to $6.30 per share. From an income standpoint, Clorox remains a solid dividend payer. The dividend payout ratio sits around 72% of next year’s earnings estimates. That level looks manageable, especially with a strong balance sheet providing a cushion. Management is aiming for 3% to 5% annual sales growth, which should support steady dividend growth for a business with a high ROIC.

The Clorox Company (NYSE:CLX) operates as a multinational manufacturer and marketer of consumer and professional products.

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