• In late June 2026, Darling Ingredients Inc. (NYSE:DAR) was removed from multiple Russell growth benchmarks, including the Russell 1000 Growth, Russell 3000 Growth, Russell 3000E Growth, Russell 2500 Growth, Russell Midcap Growth, and Russell Small Cap Comp Growth indices.
• This broad index removal can affect how index funds and benchmark-aware investors treat Darling Ingredients, potentially influencing liquidity, ownership mix, and how the company fits into growth-focused portfolios.
• Next, we’ll examine how Darling’s removal from several Russell growth indices could reshape its investment narrative and risk-return profile.

Invest in the nuclear renaissance through our list of 89 elite nuclear energy infrastructure plays powering the global AI revolution.

Darling Ingredients Investment Narrative Recap

To own Darling Ingredients today, you need to believe in its ability to convert waste, animal by‑products, and health ingredients into resilient cash flows while working through policy and margin uncertainty in renewable fuels. The broad removal from Russell growth indices mainly affects how certain funds hold the stock; it does not change the core operational story. The bigger near term swing factors remain renewable diesel margins and leverage, which still frame both the key catalyst and the primary risk.

Against that backdrop, the formation of Nextida with Tessenderlo stands out. It pushes Darling further into higher value collagen and health ingredients, supported by the patent for the Nextida GC peptide. For investors focused on catalysts, this initiative offers a contrast to the volatility of renewable fuels by emphasizing a growing wellness and specialty ingredients platform that could gradually rebalance the business mix over time.

But while index changes may feel technical, the real risk investors should be aware of is how prolonged renewable diesel margin pressure could...

Darling Ingredients' narrative projects $7.2 billion revenue and $676.3 million earnings by 2029. This requires 5.4% yearly revenue growth and about a $613.5 million earnings increase from $62.8 million today.

Uncover how Darling Ingredients' forecasts yield a $72.17 fair value, a 36% upside to its current price.

Exploring Other Perspectives

Some of the most optimistic analysts expected Darling to reach about US$7.1 billion of revenue and US$695.6 million of earnings, yet the Russell index removals and the risk of rising plant based or synthetic protein competition show how sharply views can differ, and why you should weigh several perspectives before deciding what this stock’s future really looks like.

Explore 3 other fair value estimates on Darling Ingredients - why the stock might be worth over 5x more than the current price!

Form Your Own Verdict

Disagree with existing narratives? Extraordinary investment returns rarely come from following the herd, so go with your instincts.

• A great starting point for your Darling Ingredients research is our analysis highlighting 4 key rewards and 2 important warning signs that could impact your investment decision.
• Our free Darling Ingredients research report provides a comprehensive fundamental analysis summarized in a single visual - the Snowflake - making it easy to evaluate Darling Ingredients' overall financial health at a glance.

Ready For A Different Approach?

Markets shift fast. These stocks won't stay hidden for long. Get the list while it matters:

• We've uncovered the 9 dividend fortresses yielding 5%+ that don't just survive market storms, but thrive in them.
• Uncover the next big thing with 22 elite penny stocks that balance risk and reward.
• Outshine the giants: these 15 early-stage AI stocks could fund your retirement.

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.