Zacks Investment Research cut shares of Estee Lauder Companies Inc (NYSE:EL) from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report issued on Wednesday morning, Marketbeat.com reports.

According to Zacks, “Estee Lauder has been posting better-than-expected results over the past several quarters backed by organic sales growth, product innovation and cost savings measures. The company expects to invest in new products as well as services to make buying easier for customers. Though Estee Lauder expects growth opportunities in product categories like beauty sector, channels and countries in fiscal 2016, economic challenges will persist. The company is cautious of slower retail growth in Hong Kong and China, a decline in spending by Russian and Brazilian travelers, the impact of the MERS virus on its travel retail business in Korea and unfavorable currency.”

Estee Lauder Companies (NYSE:EL) traded up 1.63% during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $83.74. 1,533,634 shares of the stock were exchanged. Estee Lauder Companies has a one year low of $70.41 and a one year high of $91.68. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $85.92 and a 200-day moving average price of $84.28. The company has a market cap of $30.92 billion and a P/E ratio of 27.46.

Estee Lauder Companies (NYSE:EL) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 2nd. The company reported $0.82 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the Zacks’ consensus estimate of $0.70 by $0.12. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.80 earnings per share. The firm had revenue of $2.83 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.78 billion. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 7.7% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts predict that Estee Lauder Companies will post $3.18 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

A number of other research firms also recently issued reports on EL. Jefferies Group reiterated a hold rating on shares of Estee Lauder Companies in a report on Tuesday. Raymond James raised their price target on Estee Lauder Companies from $91.00 to $93.00 in a research note on Tuesday, November 3rd. CLSA raised their price target on Estee Lauder Companies from $86.00 to $96.00 in a research note on Tuesday, November 3rd. Piper Jaffray restated a buy rating and issued a $98.00 price target on shares of Estee Lauder Companies in a research note on Monday, October 26th. Finally, B. Riley raised their price target on Estee Lauder Companies from $77.00 to $86.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 3rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and sixteen have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. Estee Lauder Companies has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $95.74.

In other news, VP Sara E. Moss sold 8,112 shares of Estee Lauder Companies stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $85.96, for a total value of $697,307.52. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 73,293 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,300,266.28. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Fabrizio Freda sold 17,194 shares of Estee Lauder Companies stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $86.47, for a total value of $1,486,765.18. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 73,174 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,327,355.78. The disclosure for this sale can be found here.

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Fox Run Management purchased a new stake in shares of Estee Lauder Companies during the fourth quarter worth $255,000. Mizuho Asset Management Co. Ltd. raised its stake in shares of Estee Lauder Companies by 10.2% in the fourth quarter. Mizuho Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 2,895 shares of the company’s stock worth $255,000 after buying an additional 269 shares in the last quarter. Atria Investments raised its stake in shares of Estee Lauder Companies by 1.0% in the fourth quarter. Atria Investments now owns 3,418 shares of the company’s stock worth $283,000 after buying an additional 35 shares in the last quarter. Capital One National Association raised its stake in shares of Estee Lauder Companies by 30.7% in the fourth quarter. Capital One National Association now owns 3,286 shares of the company’s stock worth $289,000 after buying an additional 772 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Charter Trust Company purchased a new stake in shares of Estee Lauder Companies during the fourth quarter worth $301,000.

The Estee Lauder Companies Inc., is a manufacturer and marketer of skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care products. The Company’s products are sold in over 150 countries and territories under a number of brand names, including Estee Lauder, Aramis, Clinique, Origins, Le Labo, M.A.C, Bobbi Brown, La Mer and Aveda. It is also the global licensee for fragrances and/or cosmetics sold under brand names, such as Tommy Hilfiger, Donna Karan, Michael Kors, Tom Ford and Coach. It sells its products principally through limited distribution channels to complement the images associated with its brands. These channels include points of sale consisting of upscale department stores, specialty retailers, upscale perfumeries and pharmacies and prestige salons and spas. In addition, its products are sold in freestanding Company-operated stores, its own and authorized retailer Websites, stores on cruise ships, direct response television (NYSE:EL), in-flight and duty-free shops.

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