Sirius XM Radio (NASDAQ: NASDAQ:SIRI) has received a reiteration of a Buy rating and a $43.00 price target from Benchmark.
The stock experienced an 8% surge this morning following news that Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:BRKa) had expanded its stake in the company.
Berkshire Hathaway reportedly purchased an additional 3.6 million shares of Sirius XM for approximately $87 million, at an average price of $24.30 per share, late last week.
The investment by Berkshire Hathaway has increased its total holdings in SiriusXM to 108.7 million shares, which equates to a 32% ownership interest.
The move underscores the confidence of Ted Wechsler, a lieutenant of Warren Buffett, in SiriusXM's potential as a robust consumer brand that aligns with Buffett’s investment principles.
Benchmark's previous note on SiriusXM, dated October 8, highlighted the company's strong position in the U.S. audio market and its array of growth opportunities. These include the advanced 360L radios in vehicles, streaming services, and the appeal to younger demographics. SiriusXM, under the leadership of CEO Jennifer Witz, has seen approximately 30% of new household acquisitions coming from Generation Y and Z. Additionally, 39% of the company's weekly listeners are aged 44 or younger.
In other recent news, Sirius XM Radio has experienced several significant developments. The company's Q2 2024 earnings report revealed an 8% sequential increase in adjusted EBITDA and a 6% increase in free cash flow from the previous year, despite a decline in subscriber and advertising revenue.
Seaport Global Securities adjusted its financial model for Sirius XM, resulting in a lowered price target of $34.00, while maintaining a Buy rating. Despite a $130 million shortfall in free cash flow for the first half of 2024, the firm anticipates a strong 25% FCF growth for Sirius XM by 2025.
Meanwhile, JPMorgan (NYSE:JPM) resumed coverage of Sirius XM with an Underweight rating and a price target of $20.00, citing concerns about the company's long-term growth prospects despite the positive aspects of Sirius XM's recent acquisition of Liberty Sirius. Similarly, Benchmark lowered its price target for Sirius XM to $43.00, maintaining a Buy rating, while Citi increased its target to $21.00, emphasizing the effects of the Liberty transaction and increased capital expenditures.
Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) also resumed coverage with an Underweight rating and a price target of $23.00, pointing out the company's declining revenue and adjusted EBITDA. However, Pivotal Research maintained a Buy rating on Sirius XM, emphasizing the company's robust free cash flow capabilities and potential for growth.
InvestingPro Insights
Recent data from InvestingPro adds depth to Benchmark's bullish stance on Sirius XM Radio (NASDAQ:SIRI). The company's P/E ratio of 8.09 and adjusted P/E ratio of 6.81 for the last twelve months suggest that SIRI might be undervalued relative to its earnings potential. This aligns with an InvestingPro Tip indicating that SIRI is trading at a low P/E ratio relative to its near-term earnings growth, which could explain Berkshire Hathaway's increased investment.
Despite recent challenges, including a significant 30.26% price decline over the past three months, SIRI maintains a strong dividend yield of 3.96%. An InvestingPro Tip highlights that the company has maintained dividend payments for 9 consecutive years, demonstrating a commitment to shareholder returns that aligns with Buffett's investment philosophy.
The company's financial health appears robust, with a revenue of $8,899 million in the last twelve months and an EBITDA of $2,603 million. These figures, coupled with an InvestingPro Tip noting that analysts predict profitability this year, support Benchmark's optimistic outlook on SIRI's market position and growth opportunities.
For investors seeking a more comprehensive analysis, InvestingPro offers 6 additional tips that could provide further insights into SIRI's investment potential.
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