Paladin Energy Ltd (PDN.AU) shares plummeted 5.07% in Tuesday's trading session, following Morgan Stanley's decision to cut its price target on the Australian uranium producer. The downgrade comes in response to the company's weak fiscal year 2026 outlook, despite strong fourth-quarter production results.
Morgan Stanley lowered its price target on Paladin Energy to A$7.30 from A$7.45, while maintaining an "equal-weight" rating on the stock. The investment bank cited softer-than-expected FY26 production guidance for triuranium octoxide, a primary feedstock for nuclear power plants, as the main reason for the downgrade. Paladin Energy's FY26 production is now expected to be in the range of 4.0–4.4 million pounds, which is lower than previous estimates due to anticipated variability in ore feed and allowances for maintenance and dewatering downtime.
The stock's decline on Tuesday extends Paladin Energy's year-to-date losses to 11.4%. Despite the recent setback, the average analyst rating for the stock remains a "buy," with a median price target of A$8.75, according to data compiled by LSEG. Investors and analysts will likely continue to monitor Paladin Energy's performance closely, particularly as it relates to the company's production outlook and the broader uranium market conditions.