Nordson Corporation (NDSN), a global leader in precision technology, commands a market capitalization of about $12.6 billion. Headquartered in Westlake, Ohio, Nordson engineers, manufactures, and markets differentiated systems for precision dispensing of adhesives, coatings, sealants, polymers, and biomaterials, along with equipment for testing, inspection, surface treatment, and curing. 

Nordson Corporation’s performance in 2025 has been a mixed bag. NDSN stock is up 7.4% year-to-date (YTD), a solid climb but still trailing the S&P 500 Index’s ($SPX) 10.6% returns. Taking a broader view of the past 52 weeks, the picture dims - NDSN slipped 12.3% while the benchmark surged 16.3%.

Even within its sector, Nordson’s shares struggled, lagging the Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI), which posted 16.4% YTD gains and an 18.8% rally over the year.

This year’s performance has been buoyed by a notable earnings beat in its third-quarter fiscal 2025, released on Aug. 20. For the quarter ending July 31, Nordson posted sales of $742 million, up 12% year-over-year (YoY), while adjusted EPS came in at $2.73, representing a 13% annual increase and topping the consensus estimate. Plus, for fiscal 2025, Nordson affirmed its previous guidance with adjusted EPS expected to be in the range of $9.70 and $10.50. 

Despite these positive catalysts, Nordson’s performance remains tempered by lingering concerns over international exposure and tariff risks.

For the current fiscal year, ending in October 2025, analysts expect NDSN to report EPS growth of 4.2% YoY to $10.14, on a diluted basis. The company has a steady earnings surprise history. It has topped the Street’s bottom-line estimates in three of the past four quarters, while missing on one other occasion.

Overall, Wall Street appears cautiously bullish about NDSN stock, with a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating. Of the 11 analysts offering recommendations, five are all in with a “Strong Buy,” and the remaining six have a “Hold” rating.

The current setup has stayed relatively stable over the past few months. 

Recently, Oppenheimer raised NDSN’s price target to $275 from $260 while reiterating an “Outperform” rating, citing a moderate sales and operational beat. 

The mean price target of $256.44 represents a premium of 14.1% to NDSN’s current price. The Street-high price target of $285 suggests an upside potential of 26.9%.