Bull case
IEX would need investors to value it at roughly 45x earnings — about 19x more generous than today's 26x forward P/E. That requires meaningful multiple expansion on top of continued earnings growth.
Wall Street verdict, consensus price target, and analyst rating breakdown — everything needed to frame the risk/reward at today's price.
Three scenarios for where IEX stock could go
IEX would need investors to value it at roughly 45x earnings — about 19x more generous than today's 26x forward P/E. That requires meaningful multiple expansion on top of continued earnings growth.
At 33x on FY1 earnings, the base case reflects a reasonable but not stretched valuation. It prices in continued growth without assuming an exceptional setup.
If investor confidence fades or macro conditions deteriorate, a 1x multiple contraction could push IEX down roughly 3% from where it trades now.
Not financial advice. Model confidence reflects internal scenario assumptions, not a guarantee of returns. Past performance does not predict future results.

IDEX Corporation is a diversified industrial manufacturer that designs and produces highly engineered fluidics, metering, and safety equipment. It generates revenue through three main segments — Fluid & Metering Technologies (~40%), Health & Science Technologies (~35%), and Fire & Safety/Diversified Products (~25%) — selling pumps, valves, seals, and safety systems to industrial, medical, and fire protection customers. The company's competitive advantage lies in its deep application expertise across niche industrial markets and its portfolio of proprietary, mission-critical components that are difficult to replace.
Quarterly beat-or-miss track record against analyst estimates, plus forward revenue and EPS outlook for the next two fiscal years.
| Quarter | EPS (Actual / Est) | EPS Surprise | Revenue (Actual / Est) | Rev Surprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q3 2025 | $2.07/$2.00 | +3.5% | $865M/$872M | -0.8% |
| Q4 2025 | $2.03/$1.93 | +5.2% | $879M/$861M | +2.0% |
| Q1 2026 | $2.10/$2.04 | +2.9% | $899M/$882M | +1.9% |
| Q2 2026 | $2.00/$1.78 | +12.4% | $887M/$846M | +4.9% |
IEX beat EPS estimates in 4 of 4 tracked quarters. A perfect track record raises the bar for the upcoming report.
Product and geographic revenue mix from the latest annual disclosure, with year-over-year growth by segment.
Latest annual revenue by segment or product family
Tap, hover, or focus a slice to inspect segment detail.
Latest annual revenue by reported region
Tap, hover, or focus a slice to inspect segment detail.
Current multiples compared to the S&P 500, the company's sector, and its own five-year average.
Fair value est. $204 — implies -4.9% from today's price.
| Metric | IEX | S&P 500 | Industrials | 5Y Avg IEX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward PE | 25.9x | 19.1x+36% | 20.8x+25% | — |
| Trailing PE | 34.0x | 25.2x+35% | 25.9x+32% | 31.3x |
| PEG Ratio | 6.36x | 1.75x+265% | 1.59x+301% | — |
| EV/EBITDA | 18.8x | 15.3x+24% | 13.9x+36% | 19.9x |
| Price/FCF | 26.3x | 21.3x+23% | 20.6x+27% | 29.3x-10% |
| Price/Sales | 4.7x | 3.1x+50% | 1.6x+195% | 5.2x |
| Dividend Yield | 1.29% | 1.88% | 1.24% | 1.19% |
Forward P/E and PEG reflect analyst consensus estimates. Historical averages use trailing ratios where forward data is unavailable.S&P 500 and sector benchmarks both use trailing median P/E — similar readings indicate the broader index and sector are priced alike.
Open valuation toolIEX generates $611M in free cash flow at a 17.3% margin — 10.4% ROIC signals a durable competitive advantage · returns 2.8% of market cap to shareholders annually.
Revenue, margins, and cash generation
ROIC, leverage, and debt serviceability
~2.0 years to full repayment at current FCF run-rate
How capital is returned to owners
All figures from the trailing twelve months. ROIC uses invested capital (equity + net debt).
Open full ratios pageKey factors that could pressure the stock price, compress the multiple, or weigh on future results.
AI analysis · updated April 29, 2026
The introduction of 'market coupling' by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has significantly reduced IEX's competitive advantage, leading to a substantial drop in its stock price. This regulatory change has pooled bids from all exchanges, lowering barriers for competitors and increasing market competition.
IEX's proposal to launch a U.S. options exchange has faced significant criticism, particularly from Citadel Securities, over concerns regarding its 'Options Risk Parameter'. Critics argue this mechanism could disadvantage retail investors and lacks transparency, potentially setting a dangerous precedent for other exchanges.
Regulatory changes, especially market coupling, have leveled the playing field for new exchanges, allowing them to enter the market without the disadvantage of thin liquidity. This increased competition may lead to lower transaction fees and further pressure IEX's market share.
IEX's approach to its options exchange aims to mitigate adverse selection risks faced by market makers due to unstable prices. However, the effectiveness and potential impact of these proposed mechanisms are still under scrutiny, which could affect IEX's operational stability.
These are risk mechanisms, not predictions. The key question is which would force a cut to earnings estimates or a lower multiple than the market currently prices in.
Structural drivers behind the upside case and why the stock could outperform over the next 12 months.
AI analysis · updated April 29, 2026
IEX holds a significant market share, around 95%, in India's power exchange market. This near-monopoly has been a key factor in its historical success.
The company boasts a debt-free balance sheet with substantial cash and investments. It operates with high EBITDA margins, often around 80%.
IEX has demonstrated robust revenue and profit growth, with Q4 FY26 showing a 24.3% year-on-year increase in traded electricity volume. This growth reflects the company's strong operational performance.
Electricity traded through exchanges in India is currently a small percentage of total generated power. A rise in exchange penetration to 15% could lead to a 27% volume growth for IEX, even if its market share drops to 50%.
Despite regulatory challenges, both Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) and Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) have been consistently increasing their stakes in IEX. This trend indicates strong institutional confidence in the company's long-term prospects.
IEX has a track record of increasing its dividend for 16 consecutive years, showcasing its commitment to returning value to shareholders and financial stability.
A real bull case compounds — each driver matters most when it strengthens margins, supports capital returns, and keeps the company above the market's minimum growth bar simultaneously.
52-week range context and price returns across multiple time horizons. Dividend contribution is shown separately in the Capital Return section.
Range context matters because valuation compression and earnings misses rarely hit from the same starting point. A stock already far below its high can still fall, but it is no longer carrying the same embedded optimism as one pressing a fresh peak.
Valuation, growth, and margin comparison against the closest publicly traded peers for this company.
| Company | Mkt Cap | Fwd PE | Rev Grw | Margin | Rating | Upside |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IEX IEX IDEX Corporation | $16.2B | 25.9x | +4.7% | 14.4% | Hold | +11.0% |
ROP ROP Roper Technologies, Inc. | $36.1B | 16.0x | +9.7% | 21.1% | Buy | +30.7% |
FTV FTV Fortive Corporation | $18.6B | 20.4x | -9.3% | 11.5% | Hold | +0.4% |
PNR PNR Pentair plc | $12.9B | 14.9x | +2.4% | 16.0% | Hold | +42.0% |
XYL XYL Xylem Inc. | $28.2B | 21.4x | +6.5% | 10.7% | Hold | +27.8% |
FEL FELE Franklin Electric Co., Inc. | $4.5B | 22.0x | +5.0% | 6.9% | Hold | -1.0% |
This peer comparison reflects companies with similar business models, product lines, or market positioning, supplemented by industry grouping when direct matches are limited.
IEX returns 2.8% annually — 1.29% through dividends and 1.5% through buybacks.
Yield, cadence, and growth quality
How much per-share support comes from repurchases
| Year | Div / Share | YoY Grw | BB Yield | Total Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $0.71 | — | — | — |
| 2025 | $2.82 | +4.1% | 1.8% | 3.4% |
| 2024 | $2.71 | +7.5% | 0.0% | 1.3% |
| 2023 | $2.52 | +7.7% | 0.1% | 1.3% |
| 2022 | $2.34 | +10.4% | 0.9% | 1.9% |
Common questions answered from live analyst data and company financials.
IDEX Corporation (IEX) is rated Hold by Wall Street analysts as of 2026. Of 29 analysts covering the stock, 14 rate it Buy or Strong Buy, 15 rate it Hold, and 0 rate it Sell or Strong Sell. The consensus 12-month price target is $242, implying +11.0% from the current price of $218. The bear case scenario is $212 and the bull case is $376.
The Wall Street consensus price target for IEX is $242 based on 29 analyst estimates. The high-end target is $257 (+17.8% from today), and the low-end target is $214 (-1.9%). The base case model target is $276.
IEX trades at 25.9x times forward earnings. The stock trades at a notable premium to the broad market, which is typical for businesses with strong free cash flow and above-average growth expectations. Based on current multiples versus the peer group, the relative model signals fairly valued. Whether the stock is over or undervalued ultimately depends on whether consensus earnings estimates are achievable.
The primary risks for IEX in 2026 are: (1) Regulatory Changes — The introduction of 'market coupling' by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has significantly reduced IEX's competitive advantage, leading to a substantial drop in its stock price. (2) Options Exchange Criticism — IEX's proposal to launch a U. (3) Increased Competition — Regulatory changes, especially market coupling, have leveled the playing field for new exchanges, allowing them to enter the market without the disadvantage of thin liquidity. Each factor has the potential to pressure earnings or compress the stock's valuation multiple.
Analyst consensus estimates IEX will report consensus revenue of $3.7B (+4.7% year-over-year) and EPS of $7.57 (+11.0% year-over-year) for the upcoming fiscal year. The following year, analysts project $3.9B in revenue.
A confirmed upcoming earnings date for IEX is not yet available. Check the Earnings section above for the most recent quarterly report dates and forward estimates.
IDEX Corporation (IEX) generated $611M in free cash flow over the trailing twelve months — a free cash flow margin of 17.3%. IEX returns capital to shareholders through dividends (1.3% yield) and share repurchases ($248M TTM).