Analyst Expectations For Cleveland-Cliffs's Future
Providing a diverse range of perspectives from bullish to bearish, 4 analysts have published ratings on Cleveland-Cliffs (NYSE:CLF) in the last three months.
The following table provides a quick overview of their recent ratings, highlighting the changing sentiments over the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
| Bullish | Somewhat Bullish | Indifferent | Somewhat Bearish | Bearish | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Ratings | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Last 30D | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 1M Ago | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2M Ago | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3M Ago | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
The 12-month price targets, analyzed by analysts, offer insights with an average target of $11.98, a high estimate of $17.00, and a low estimate of $9.42. This upward trend is evident, with the current average reflecting a 22.62% increase from the previous average price target of $9.77.
Diving into Analyst Ratings: An In-Depth Exploration
The perception of Cleveland-Cliffs by financial experts is analyzed through recent analyst actions. The following summary presents key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
| Analyst | Analyst Firm | Action Taken | Rating | Current Price Target | Prior Price Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gordon L. Johnson | GLJ Research | Lowers | Sell | $9.42 | $9.52 |
| Gordon L. Johnson | GLJ Research | Raises | Sell | $9.52 | $5.75 |
| Carlos De Alba | Morgan Stanley | Raises | Overweight | $17.00 | $12.80 |
| Timna Tanners | Wells Fargo | Raises | Equal-Weight | $12.00 | $11.00 |
Key Insights:
- Action Taken: Analysts frequently update their recommendations based on evolving market conditions and company performance. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their reaction to recent developments related to Cleveland-Cliffs. This information provides a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.
- Rating: Offering a comprehensive view, analysts assess stocks qualitatively, spanning from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey expectations for the relative performance of Cleveland-Cliffs compared to the broader market.
- Price Targets: Analysts navigate through adjustments in price targets, providing estimates for Cleveland-Cliffs's future value. Comparing current and prior targets offers insights into analysts' evolving expectations.
Understanding these analyst evaluations alongside key financial indicators can offer valuable insights into Cleveland-Cliffs's market standing. Stay informed and make well-considered decisions with our Ratings Table.
Stay up to date on Cleveland-Cliffs analyst ratings.
Discovering Cleveland-Cliffs: A Closer Look
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc is a flat-rolled steel producer and manufacturer of iron ore pellets in North America. It is organized into four operating segments based on differentiated products, Steelmaking, Tubular, Tooling and Stamping and European Operations, but operates through one reportable segment -Steelmaking. It is vertically integrated from mined raw materials, direct reduced iron, and ferrous scrap to primary steelmaking and downstream finishing, stamping, tooling and tubing. It serves a diverse range of other markets due to its comprehensive offering of flat-rolled steel products. Geographically, it operates in the United States, Canada and other countries. The majority of revenue is from the United States. It is a supplier of steel to the automotive industry in North America.
Cleveland-Cliffs's Financial Performance
Market Capitalization Analysis: The company exhibits a lower market capitalization profile, positioning itself below industry averages. This suggests a smaller scale relative to peers.
Revenue Growth: Cleveland-Cliffs's revenue growth over a period of 3M has been noteworthy. As of 30 September, 2025, the company achieved a revenue growth rate of approximately 3.61%. This indicates a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. As compared to its peers, the company achieved a growth rate higher than the average among peers in Materials sector.
Net Margin: Cleveland-Cliffs's net margin falls below industry averages, indicating challenges in achieving strong profitability. With a net margin of -5.3%, the company may face hurdles in effective cost management.
Return on Equity (ROE): Cleveland-Cliffs's ROE is below industry averages, indicating potential challenges in efficiently utilizing equity capital. With an ROE of -4.45%, the company may face hurdles in achieving optimal financial returns.
Return on Assets (ROA): Cleveland-Cliffs's ROA is below industry standards, pointing towards difficulties in efficiently utilizing assets. With an ROA of -1.23%, the company may encounter challenges in delivering satisfactory returns from its assets.
Debt Management: Cleveland-Cliffs's debt-to-equity ratio is notably higher than the industry average. With a ratio of 1.47, the company relies more heavily on borrowed funds, indicating a higher level of financial risk.
Analyst Ratings: What Are They?
Benzinga tracks 150 analyst firms and reports on their stock expectations. Analysts typically arrive at their conclusions by predicting how much money a company will make in the future, usually the upcoming five years, and how risky or predictable that company's revenue streams are.
Analysts attend company conference calls and meetings, research company financial statements, and communicate with insiders to publish their ratings on stocks. Analysts typically rate each stock once per quarter or whenever the company has a major update.
Some analysts also offer predictions for helpful metrics such as earnings, revenue, and growth estimates to provide further guidance as to what to do with certain tickers. It is important to keep in mind that while stock and sector analysts are specialists, they are also human and can only forecast their beliefs to traders.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.