International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF) AI Stock Analysis

NYSE: IFFAI research summary: business, growth, valuation, analysts, bull and bear case.

IFF AI stock analysis summary

AI Research

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF) produces ingredients, flavors, and fragrances for consumer and pharmaceutical markets. Over the trailing twelve months, the company generated $10.78B in revenue with a net profit margin of 2.6%. The stock trades at a trailing P/E of 89.8x and has gained 48.1% over the past year.

Market cap
$23.15B
Revenue (TTM)
$10.78B
P/E
89.8x
fwd 17.7x
1Y return
48.1%
S&P 500 16.8%
Avg. target
$96.76
6.7% vs last close

Bull case

  • Gross margins have steadily expanded from 32.0% in FY2021 to 36.2% in FY2025.
  • The stock has shown strong recent momentum, rising 48.1% over the past year compared to 16.8% for the S&P 500.
  • Analyst consensus expects next fiscal year EPS to rebound 19.7% to $3.93 on revenue of $7.84B.

Bear case

  • IFF recorded a net loss of -$361.0M in FY2025 and quarterly earnings fell 91.6% year-over-year in the latest quarter.
  • Valuation multiples are elevated relative to the median of its S&P 500 Basic Materials peers, including an EV/EBITDA of 60.3x versus 14.0x.
  • Dividend growth has contracted at an annualized rate of -12.0% over the past five years.

What IFF does

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. manufactures and supplies cosmetic active ingredients and natural health ingredients used in consumer products worldwide. It operates across four segments: Nourish, Scent, Health & Biosciences, and Pharma Solutions. Nourish offers plant-based specialty food ingredients, flavor compounds, and natural shelf-life solutions. Scent provides fine fragrances, consumer fragrances, cosmetic actives, and delivery systems for personal care items. Health & Biosciences produces enzymes, food cultures, and probiotics to enhance food texture and nutrition. Pharma Solutions manufactures pharmaceutical excipients derived from cellulosics and seaweed for drug formulation needs.

Growth and profitability

Revenue reached $10.89B in FY2025, falling 5.2% from $11.48B in FY2024, while net income closed at -$361.0M compared to $243.0M in FY2024. Gross margin improved to 36.2% in FY2025, up from 32.0% in FY2021, and operating margin reached 7.7%. For the trailing twelve months ending June 30, 2026, revenue stood at $10.78B with an operating margin of 8.5%. In the latest quarter, revenue grew 1.8% year-over-year, while quarterly earnings declined 91.6%. Over the five years from FY2020 to FY2025, revenue grew at a CAGR of 16.5%.

IFF income statement →

Balance sheet and cash flow

As of June 30, 2026, IFF held $569.0M in cash and short-term investments alongside $6.24B in total debt, resulting in net debt of $5.67B. Shareholders' equity was $13.98B, with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45 and a current ratio of 2.06. In FY2025, operating cash flow generated was $850.0M and free cash flow was $256.0M. The company deployed cash toward $594.0M in capital expenditures, $409.0M in dividends paid, and $38.0M in share buybacks.

IFF balance sheet →

Valuation and performance

IFF trades at an enterprise value of $27.54B and a market cap of $23.15B. Its trailing P/E is 89.8x, compared to the median of 30.9x for its S&P 500 Basic Materials peers, while its forward P/E is 17.7x versus the peer median of 13.6x. The company's EV/EBITDA multiple is 60.3x against the peer median of 14.0x, though its price-to-sales ratio of 2.1x sits below the peer median of 2.5x. Over the past year, IFF gained 48.1%, outperforming the S&P 500 return of 16.8%, but its 5-year return of -29.8% lagged the index return of 83.0%.

IFF key metrics →

IFF dividend

IFF offers a forward annual dividend of $1.60 per share, yielding 1.76% with a payout ratio of 40.8%. Dividends are distributed on a quarterly basis and have been paid for 53 consecutive years. Over the past five years, the annualized dividend growth rate was -12.0%. The most recent ex-dividend date was September 18, 2026.

IFF dividend history →

What analysts expect

Wall Street coverage includes 10 Strong Buy, 4 Buy, and 6 Hold recommendations, with 0 Sell or Strong Sell ratings. The mean price target is $96.76, representing a 6.7% upside compared to the last close of $90.68. For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, consensus estimates project revenue of $7.59B and EPS of $3.29, an expected earnings decline of 21.8%. For FY2027, 19 analysts project revenue of $7.84B and EPS of $3.93. The company beat EPS estimates in 3 of the last 4 quarters, and the next earnings date is November 3, 2026.

IFF forecast and price target →

Key risks and what to watch

  • The balance sheet carries $5.67B in net debt against $569.0M in cash and short-term investments.
  • EPS is expected to decline 21.8% in the current fiscal year to $3.29.
  • Short interest stands at 8.7% of float, reflecting notable market skepticism.
  • Return on equity over the trailing twelve months remains negative at -5.5%.

AI-generated research summary. Written with AI from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 and checked so every figure matches that data. For information only, not investment advice. Disclaimer

About this IFF AI stock analysis

This page is an AI-written research summary of International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF). The text was generated on October 30, 2026 from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 (company profile, annual results, latest balance sheet, valuation, price performance and analyst estimates). An automatic check rejects any draft that contains a figure not found in that data. It is not investment advice; verify figures on the linked tabs before making decisions.

Related: IFF income statement, IFF balance sheet, IFF key metrics, IFF analyst forecast, IFF chart. See the IFF stock overview for the latest quote and news.

IFF AI stock analysis FAQ

What is IFF's dividend yield and track record?

IFF pays an annual forward dividend of $1.60 per share, which equals a 1.76% dividend yield. It has paid dividends for 53 consecutive years, though its 5-year annualized dividend growth is -12.0%.

How does IFF's valuation compare to its sector peers?

IFF trades at a trailing P/E of 89.8x and an EV/EBITDA of 60.3x, both above the median of its S&P 500 Basic Materials peers at 30.9x and 14.0x, respectively. However, its price-to-sales ratio of 2.1x is lower than the peer median of 2.5x.

What are analysts forecasting for IFF's earnings?

Analysts forecast EPS of $3.29 on $7.59B in revenue for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026. For the next fiscal year, consensus estimates anticipate EPS rising 19.7% to $3.93 on revenue of $7.84B.

When does IFF report its next financial results?

The company's next earnings date is scheduled for November 3, 2026.

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