West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) stock
Health Care · Health Care Supplies
West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) is a Health Care Supplies company in the Health Care sector, headquartered in Exton, Pennsylvania. As of October 23, 2026, WST closed at $392.15, a market capitalization of $27.60 billion, the 336th largest company in the S&P 500. Over the last twelve months it generated $3.33 billion in revenue (+14% year over year) and $436.90 million in free cash flow. The stock trades at 50.2x trailing earnings and 39.3x forward earnings.
- 1-year total return: +28.0% (dividends reinvested)
- 5-year return: -1.2% a year
- 52-week range: $223.83 – $397.16
- Gross margin 36.8%, operating margin 22.5%
- Dividend yield: 0.27%, 33 straight years of increases
- FI Handbook report card: C+ across 10 metrics
- 43rd largest of 60 Health Care stocks in the S&P 500
WST price chart
1Y price change: +27.6% (price only; total returns below include dividends)
| Total return | 1M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | 10Y | MAX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WST | +4.3% | +42.9% | +28.0% | +2.2% | -1.2% | +18.9% | +15.7% |
Dividends reinvested. 3Y and longer are annualized; MAX is annualized since 1980.
WST key statistics
- Market cap
- $27.6B
- #336 in S&P 500
- P/E (TTM)
- 50.2x
- Forward P/E
- 39.3x
- EPS (TTM)
- $7.81
- Revenue (TTM)
- $3.3B
- +14%
- Free cash flow
- $436.9M
- Gross margin
- 36.8%
- Operating margin
- 22.5%
- Return on equity
- 19.1%
- Dividend yield
- 0.27%
- 52-week range
- $223.83 – $397.16
- Beta
- 1.13
- Price / sales
- 8.3x
- EV / EBITDA
- 30.1x
- Debt / equity
- 0.11x
- Employees
- 10,800
WST report card
C+Ten fundamentals graded A to F against fixed thresholds. Not a buy or sell rating.
- Revenue growth13.8%B
- Gross margin36.8%C
- Operating margin22.5%B
- FCF margin13.1%C
- Return on equity19.1%B
- Net debt / EBITDA-0.1xA
- Forward P/E39.3xD
- PEG ratio3.0xF
- Shareholder yield0.8%D
- Share count change / yr-0.8%B
West Pharmaceutical Services, I financials
Revenue went from $1.5B in fiscal 2016 to $3.1B in fiscal 2025, growing 8.2% a year.
| Fiscal year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $1.5B | $1.6B | $1.7B | $1.8B | $2.1B | $2.8B | $2.9B | $2.9B | $2.9B | $3.1B |
| Gross profit | $501.4M | $512.9M | $545.4M | $605.7M | $767.8M | $1.2B | $1.1B | $1.1B | $998.5M | $1.1B |
| Operating income | $195.2M | $225.8M | $240.3M | $296.6M | $406.9M | $752.3M | $734.0M | $676.0M | $569.9M | $584.9M |
| Net income | $143.6M | $150.7M | $206.9M | $241.7M | $346.2M | $661.8M | $585.9M | $593.4M | $492.7M | $493.7M |
| EPS (diluted) | $1.91 | $1.99 | $2.74 | $3.21 | $4.57 | $8.67 | $7.73 | $7.88 | $6.69 | $6.79 |
| Free cash flow | $49.2M | $132.5M | $183.9M | $240.8M | $298.1M | $330.6M | $439.4M | $414.5M | $276.4M | $468.9M |
| Buybacks | $52.2M | $74.4M | $70.8M | $83.1M | $115.5M | $137.1M | $202.8M | $438.3M | $560.9M | $134.0M |
| Dividends paid | $35.8M | $39.1M | $42.1M | $45.1M | $48.1M | $51.1M | $54.1M | $57.0M | $59.1M | $61.2M |
| Diluted shares | 75.0M | 75.8M | 75.4M | 75.4M | 75.8M | 76.3M | 75.8M | 75.3M | 73.7M | 72.7M |
Source: SEC filings (10-K XBRL). EPS and share counts are split-adjusted.
What's priced into WST?
A reverse DCF asks what growth the current price requires. With an enterprise value of $27.5B and $436.9M of trailing free cash flow, West Pharmaceutical Services, I needs to grow free cash flow about 40.9% a year for ten years (fading to 3.0% terminal growth) to earn a 10% annual return. For context, free cash flow grew 9.5% a year over the last five years.
P/E ratio history
Current 57.8x vs. median 40.7x (10th–90th percentile 19.4x–65.2x).
A model, not a forecast or advice. Small changes in assumptions move the answer a lot.
WST dividend
- Dividend yield
- 0.27%
- Annual dividend
- $1.04
- Years of increases
- 33
- 5-yr dividend growth
- 5.5%
- per year
- Payout ratio
- 11%
- Payments per year
- 4
Regular dividends per share by calendar year; special dividends excluded. Current year omitted until complete.
WST analyst price targets
15 analysts' average 12-month target is $416.40 (+6% vs. $392.15). Targets range from $340.00 to $459.00. 94% rate it a buy.
WST earnings
Next report: October 29, 2026. West Pharmaceutical Services, I has beaten EPS estimates 8 quarters in a row. Last quarter's revenue was $872.3M (+14% year over year).
| Report date | EPS estimate | EPS actual | Surprise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 23, 2026 | $2.08 | $2.37 | +13.9% |
| Apr 23, 2026 | $1.68 | $2.13 | +27.1% |
| Feb 12, 2026 | $1.83 | $2.04 | +11.5% |
| Oct 23, 2025 | $1.71 | $1.96 | +14.6% |
| Jul 24, 2025 | $1.54 | $1.84 | +19.7% |
| Apr 24, 2025 | $1.26 | $1.45 | +15.3% |
| Feb 13, 2025 | $1.73 | $1.82 | +5.3% |
| Oct 24, 2024 | $1.49 | $1.85 | +23.8% |
Stocks like WST
| Name | Today | 1Y | Mkt cap | P/E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 COO Cooper Companies | -0.71% | -18% | $11.6B | 21.0x | Compare |
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 LLY Eli Lilly and | -2.54% | +56% | $1.1T | 42.7x | Compare |
 JNJ Johnson & Johnson | -1.42% | +40% | $635.1B | 40.0x | Compare |
 ABBV AbbVie | +0.16% | +29% | $504.8B | 80.7x | Compare |
 UNH UnitedHealth | -1.62% | +19% | $375.3B | 26.9x | Compare |
 MRK Merck & | -1.34% | +72% | $358.4B | 117.2x | Compare |
 TMO Thermo Fisher Scientific | -0.40% | +18% | $249.1B | 35.5x | Compare |
WST news
- West Declares Quarterly Dividend · Oct 19, 2026
- West Pharmaceutical Stock Gains 36.1% YTD: What's Behind the Rally? · Oct 15, 2026
- West to Host Third-Quarter 2026 Conference Call · Oct 8, 2026
- West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) Stock Could Be 17% Overvalued As Cash Flow Falls Short · Oct 8, 2026
- 3 Low-Volatility Stocks We’re Skeptical Of · Oct 19, 2026
WST stock FAQ
What is WST's market cap?
West Pharmaceutical Services's market capitalization is $27.60 billion as of October 23, 2026, ranking 336th in the S&P 500.
What is WST's P/E ratio?
WST trades at a trailing price-to-earnings ratio of 50.2x and a forward P/E of 39.3x. Its median P/E over the period we track is 40.7x.
Does WST pay a dividend?
Yes. West Pharmaceutical Services pays $1.04 per share a year, a 0.27% yield. It has raised its dividend 33 years in a row. Dividends grew 5.5% a year over the last five years.
How much has WST stock returned?
Including reinvested dividends, WST returned +28.0% over one year, -1.2% a year over five years, +18.9% a year over ten years through October 23, 2026.
Is WST stock overvalued?
At today's price, a reverse discounted cash flow model (10% discount rate, 3% terminal growth) implies West Pharmaceutical Services must grow free cash flow about 41% a year for the next decade. Its free cash flow grew 9% a year over the last five years. Whether that is achievable decides if the stock is cheap or expensive. This is a model, not advice.
What is the WST price target?
15 analysts cover WST with an average 12-month price target of $416.40, +6% from the current price. 94% of them rate it a buy.
When does WST report earnings?
West Pharmaceutical Services is expected to report earnings on October 29, 2026. It has beaten EPS estimates 8 quarters in a row.
How many employees does West Pharmaceutical Services have?
West Pharmaceutical Services has about 10,800 full-time employees, or $308,037 of revenue per employee.
Sources: SEC EDGAR filings, Yahoo Finance market data (delayed), FI Handbook calculations. Last close October 23, 2026. Methodology