Honeywell International Inc. (NASDAQ: HON) finished a holiday-shortened Christmas Eve session modestly higher, then edged lower in after-hours trading as investors digested the latest guidance reset and fresh analyst commentary.
One important timing note: U.S. markets are closed on Thursday, Dec. 25, for Christmas Day, so there is no regular-session “open tomorrow.” The next full regular session is Friday, Dec. 26. [1]
Honeywell stock after the bell: the after-hours snapshot (Dec. 24, 2025)
Honeywell shares closed at $196.93 in the regular session and were $196.59 in after-hours trading as of 4:52 p.m. ET, down about 0.17% after hours on relatively light volume. [2]
Because Dec. 24 is an official early-close day (1:00 p.m. ET) for U.S. equities, “the bell” came earlier than usual, and extended-hours trading tends to be thinner and more volatile than normal—especially around holidays. [3]
What drove Honeywell shares into the close and after-hours
1) The market backdrop: a quiet, record-leaning holiday session
The broader market drifted higher in a low-volume session ahead of the holiday, with the S&P 500, Dow, and Nasdaq all finishing up on Christmas Eve as trading activity was notably light. [4]
That matters for HON because Honeywell is a large, widely held industrial name—on thin days, price action can reflect macro flows and portfolio positioning more than company-specific catalysts.
2) The big company headline still in focus: guidance reset + Flexjet litigation charge (announced this week)
Although the headline broke earlier in the week (Dec. 22), it remains the dominant fundamental story investors are weighing as of tonight:
- Honeywell said it expects one-time cash payments totaling approximately $470 million tied to the Flexjet-related litigation matters, while emphasizing the charge won’t impact its non-GAAP metrics/guidance. [5]
- The company also adjusted 2025 outlook figures after reclassifying Advanced Materials as discontinued operations (following the Solstice Advanced Materials spin). [6]
Here are the key updated 2025 ranges Honeywell provided:
- Adjusted Sales:$37.5B–$37.7B (reflecting an approximate $3.2B impact from the discontinued Advanced Materials operations versus prior guidance) [7]
- Adjusted EPS:$9.70–$9.80 (vs. prior $10.60–$10.70) [8]
- Free Cash Flow:$4.8B–$5.2B (vs. prior $5.2B–$5.6B) [9]
Honeywell also provided detail that, for accounting purposes, the Flexjet-related items include an approximately $310 million impact to sales due to contra-revenue accounting tied to a pending settlement with an existing customer. [10]
Why this still matters after-hours tonight: even with no new company press release on Dec. 24, investors continue to recalibrate valuation and expectations around Honeywell’s 2026 transition story—including segment changes and the runway to planned separations.
Today’s analyst action and “forecast” updates (Dec. 24): Barclays trims target, keeps bullish stance
The most notable Honeywell-specific research update dated today:
- Barclays lowered its price target to $250 from $269 while maintaining an Overweight rating. The note argues investor interest could pick up in spring 2026 as a capital markets day and the aerospace spinoff draw closer. [11]
Broader Wall Street positioning looks mixed but not bearish, based on the same day’s compiled commentary:
- MarketBeat’s roundup describes a split analyst picture with an overall “Hold”-leaning consensus and an average price target around $235.58. [12]
A separate “quant-style” take published today: Buffett-style factor screen
A Nasdaq/Validea factor-based report posted Dec. 24 scored Honeywell at 68% under its “Patient Investor” (Buffett-style) framework, citing strengths like profitability and free cash flow characteristics, alongside weaker marks on certain return expectations and retained-earnings tests. [13]
This isn’t a price target, but it adds to the day’s narrative: HON is increasingly being framed as a quality industrial compounder undergoing a complex re-rating event (portfolio realignment + future separation catalysts).
What to know before the next market open (and why “tomorrow” is different this week)
First, the calendar: U.S. markets are closed Dec. 25; next open is Friday, Dec. 26
- Nasdaq’s holiday schedule lists Dec. 24 as an early close (1:00 p.m. ET) and Dec. 25 as closed. [14]
- The NYSE calendar likewise specifies the Dec. 24, 2025 early close. [15]
- The AP also notes markets reopen Friday following the Christmas Day closure. [16]
So the practical setup is: you’re not preparing for a normal overnight-to-next-morning handoff. You’re preparing for a holiday gap into Friday’s session.
What investors should watch during the holiday gap
1) Any incremental developments on the Flexjet litigation and settlement mechanics
Honeywell has already disclosed expected cash payments (about $470 million) and a sales impact tied to settlement accounting (~$310 million impact), but markets can still react to any new filing details, settlement finalization, or revised timelines. [17]
2) How analysts “normalize” Honeywell’s run-rate after the Advanced Materials reclassification
The market is still absorbing what’s “continuing” versus “discontinued” and what that means for:
- revenue base,
- margins,
- and free cash flow expectations.
Honeywell’s own tables show how much of the headline change is structurally driven by classification (not necessarily demand deterioration), which can influence how investors frame valuation going into 2026. [18]
3) Portfolio realignment details heading into 2026 reporting
Honeywell reiterated it expects a new segment structure effective in Q1 2026 with four reportable segments (including Aerospace Technologies, Building Automation, Process Automation & Technology, and Industrial Automation). [19]
If additional investor materials, FAQs, or 8-K clarifications appear, they can become Friday’s catalyst—even if the underlying business hasn’t changed overnight.
4) Holiday liquidity and “price discovery risk”
With the market closed Thursday and many desks lightly staffed, the first real chance for broad participation returns on Friday. That can mean:
- wider bid/ask spreads at the open,
- sharper moves on small headlines,
- more sensitivity to index and ETF flows.
5) Macro tone matters more than usual
The AP’s report underscores the market is still thinking about the economy and the Fed’s path into early 2026. Industrial conglomerates like Honeywell can be especially sensitive to rate expectations and “soft landing vs. slowdown” narratives. [20]
Bottom line for HON stock heading into Friday’s open
Honeywell stock is ending Dec. 24 in a calmer posture—up in the shortened regular session and only slightly lower after hours—while investors wait for the next real liquidity window on Friday, Dec. 26. [21]
The key “knowns” going into that next session are clear: updated 2025 guidance ranges, the disclosed Flexjet-related cash payment expectation, and a fresh Barclays target cut (but still bullish rating) that leans into the 2026 catalyst calendar. [22]
This article is for informational purposes only and is not investment advice.
References
1. www.nasdaq.com, 2. www.marketwatch.com, 3. www.nyse.com, 4. apnews.com, 5. investor.honeywell.com, 6. investor.honeywell.com, 7. investor.honeywell.com, 8. investor.honeywell.com, 9. investor.honeywell.com, 10. investor.honeywell.com, 11. www.tipranks.com, 12. www.marketbeat.com, 13. www.nasdaq.com, 14. www.nasdaq.com, 15. www.nyse.com, 16. apnews.com, 17. investor.honeywell.com, 18. investor.honeywell.com, 19. investor.honeywell.com, 20. apnews.com, 21. www.marketwatch.com, 22. investor.honeywell.com
