On Thursday, Citi maintained a Neutral rating on Fastly Inc . (NYSE:FSLY) but increased its price target from $7.00 to $9.00. The adjustment comes after Fastly reported a revenue growth beat of 7% year-over-year, which matched its second-quarter levels. This growth was partly due to one-time events and a notable 20% year-over-year acceleration in revenue from customers outside its top 10, up from 13% in the previous quarter.
Despite these positive developments, Fastly also experienced some challenges. The company's Remaining Performance Obligations (RPOs) saw a 5% year-over-year decline, although there was an improvement quarter-over-quarter due to better contract renewals and package adoption.
Furthermore, Fastly's Net Revenue Retention (NRR) dropped by 5 points to 105%. Citi pointed out that the NRR is expected to continue feeling the effects through at least the first half of 2025.
For the calendar year 2024, Fastly's guidance has been raised, excluding a forecasted cut in free cash flow (FCF). The revised guidance takes into account the third-quarter beat and anticipates flat fourth-quarter revenue. This outlook includes the ongoing but lessening impact of large media traffic challenges and lower operating margins due to gross margin headwinds.
Looking ahead to 2025, Citi sees potential for a turnaround at Fastly, citing factors such as competitor bankruptcy, a more rational pricing environment, and greater go-to-market discipline. The new Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) is expected to drive efforts in scaling package and security stock-keeping units (SKUs) and to help the company move past traffic headwinds.
However, Citi remains cautious, stating that this turnaround potential remains "a tall execution order," and expresses a desire to observe tangible improvements in key performance indicators before fully endorsing the company's growth prospects.
In other recent news, Fastly has announced updates to its bylaws, including new proxy rules and additional requirements for stockholders proposing nominees or business.
DA Davidson and Piper Sandler have adjusted their price targets for Fastly shares, maintaining a Neutral rating, in response to the company's revenue outlook and restructuring strategy.
Raymond (NS:RYMD) James downgraded Fastly's stock rating from a Strong Buy to a Market Perform status, citing better opportunities elsewhere. The firm believes it might take a few more quarters for Fastly's new initiatives to reflect positively on the company's top line and free cash flow results.
InvestingPro Insights
Recent data from InvestingPro sheds additional light on Fastly's financial situation and market performance. Despite the challenges noted in Citi's analysis, Fastly has shown a strong return over the last three months, with a 19.3% price total return. This aligns with the company's recent revenue growth beat and potential turnaround prospects mentioned in the article.
However, InvestingPro Tips caution that Fastly's RSI suggests the stock is in overbought territory, which investors should consider alongside the recent price increase. Additionally, the company is not expected to be profitable this year, reflecting the ongoing challenges and execution risks highlighted in Citi's report.
On a positive note, Fastly operates with a moderate level of debt and its liquid assets exceed short-term obligations, potentially providing some financial flexibility as it navigates its turnaround efforts. These factors could support the company's ability to invest in growth initiatives and weather near-term headwinds.
For investors seeking a more comprehensive analysis, InvestingPro offers 10 additional tips for Fastly, providing deeper insights into the company's financial health and market position.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.