Newell Brands Sees Analyst Optimism for 2026 Turnaround on New Product Momentum
Newell Brands Inc. (NASDAQ: NWL), the consumer products conglomerate behind brands like Sharpie, Rubbermaid, and Graco, is drawing renewed analyst attention as early signs of a strategic turnaround begin to emerge. The focus is now shifting to 2026 as a potential watershed year for the company.
On January 25, Canaccord Genuity analyst Brian McNamara increased his price target on Newell Brands from $7 to $8, maintaining a Buy rating. This adjustment follows the company's January 22 announcement of a comprehensive relaunch for its Chesapeake Bay home fragrance line, featuring a refreshed brand identity and an expanded range of candles and reed diffusers.
"The market is starting to recognize the progress management has made," McNamara noted in his research update. He pointed to "significantly improved" fourth-quarter 2025 channel data for key brands—Sharpie, Graco, and Rubbermaid—as a positive indicator, despite their collective share of total sales. The analyst was particularly encouraged that these improvements are materializing ahead of the broader turnaround schedule.
This optimism persists against a challenging backdrop: Newell's stock has declined approximately 54% over the past year through early February. McNamara's thesis hinges on the belief that the company's restructuring and product revitalization efforts are gaining traction. He projects that 2026 could mark Newell's first year of net distribution gains since its complex acquisition of Jarden in 2016, a move that has long weighed on its performance.
Investor sentiment showed a flicker of confidence following the fragrance line news, with NWL shares climbing over 16% in January. The stock currently trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 6.64, a valuation that places it among stocks considered deeply undervalued by some screens.
Newell Brands, which operates across Home and Commercial Solutions, Learning and Development, and Outdoor and Recreation segments, appears to be betting on brand reinvigoration as its path back to growth. The coming years will test whether this strategy can reignite consistent sales expansion and restore shareholder value.
Market Voices: A Mixed Bag of Reactions
David Chen, Portfolio Manager at Horizon Trust: "The increased price target reflects tangible, albeit early, operational improvements. The low forward P/E suggests much of the pessimism is already baked in. If channel data continues to strengthen, 2026 could indeed be a pivotal year."
Rebecca Shaw, Retail Analyst at Clearwater Insights: "A single fragrance line relaunch does not fix a portfolio that has struggled for a decade. This feels like grasping at straws. The Jarden integration was botched, and management has repeatedly overpromised and underdelivered. I'll believe a 'turnaround' when I see sustained market share growth across its core categories, not just a pop from a niche segment."
Michael Torres, Independent Consumer Goods Consultant: "The focus on Sharpie and Rubbermaid is correct—these are heritage brands with immense equity. Successfully modernizing them is more critical than any new product launch. The 2026 projection is reasonable, but execution on shelf presence and retailer relationships will be the real determinant."
Lisa Wang, Founder of 'The Everyday Investor' Newsletter: "For long-suffering shareholders, any green shoot is welcome. The 16% January bounce shows how sensitive this stock is to positive news. The risk/reward might be appealing for very patient investors, but the volatility isn't for the faint of heart."