Mueller Water Products (MWA) is well placed to handle Middle East-related risks and still meet or beat near-term expectations because of its US-focused demand base, large repair and replacement business and an attractive valuation, Oppenheimer said in a note Wednesday.

Steady municipal repair and replacement demand should remain a key support, with healthy municipal activity and stronger specialty valve projects expected to help fiscal 2026 trends, while natural gas utility and industrial demand, along with recent price gains, should also support near-term results, the investment firm said.

Oppenheimer said weakness in residential markets is likely to remain a near term headwind in fiscal 2026, but it expects conditions to start stabilizing by fiscal Q4 and sees housing demand as a medium term growth driver.

Mueller has enough pricing and cost controls to protect its FY26 margin outlook, even as it watches material costs, freight, and efficiency trends, Oppenheimer added.

Oppenheimer maintained its outperform rating and $32 price target for Mueller, saying it still sees upside for the shares.

Price: 27.96, Change: +0.47, Percent Change: +1.71