Simpson Manufacturing initiated with an Equal Weight at Stephens

Stephens initiated coverage of Simpson Manufacturing (SSD) with an Equal Weight rating and $187 price target As the leader in the structural connector market with about 80% share, Simpson has historically been able to pass along inflationary input cost pressures, the analyst tells investors. The firm expects U.S. housing starts to remain subdued likely until at least the second half of 2026 and while it believes Simpson to be “a unique and high-quality business,” uncertainty around new residential construction going into 2026 keeps the firm on the sidelines, the analyst tells investors.