BMO Capital Markets has reiterated its Outperform rating on Workiva (NYSE: NYSE:WK), maintaining the $96.00 price target.
The firm's outlook on Workiva remains positive after engaging with the company's management, partners, and customers. A key point of focus is the company's commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting, which is expected to benefit from strong regulatory support in Europe. Additionally, there are significant opportunities for Workiva to cross-sell its comprehensive platform.
The firm's analysis indicates that there is an increasing need for ESG reporting, as evidenced by Workiva's revised target model that anticipates more sales and marketing investments in the coming years.
These investments are projected to support subscription growth trends that align with recent patterns, despite the current challenges of selling back office software.
Workiva's strategy involves capturing the growing market for ESG reporting, which is gaining momentum due to regulatory developments. The company's efforts to expand its reach through cross-selling are also highlighted as a potential growth driver. BMO Capital Markets expects that the increased focus on sales and marketing will enable Workiva to maintain its subscription growth amidst a tough sales environment for back office software solutions.
Workiva's updated target model reflects a strategic response to the heightened demand for ESG reporting, with plans to ramp up sales and marketing efforts. This approach is designed to yield subscription growth that is at least consistent with the company's recent performance trends.
Workiva reported solid growth in its second-quarter earnings with an 18% increase in subscription revenue and a 15% rise in total revenue.
The company also launched Workiva Carbon, a product designed to assist with carbon accounting and emissions disclosure, and announced the acquisition of Sustain.Life, enhancing its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting capabilities.
Also, Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) reaffirmed its Buy rating on Workiva, highlighting the company's strategic pivot and sustained investment in its Sustainability solution. The firm projects an accelerated Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) for Workiva's revenue at 18.7% for the period from 2024 to 2026.
Workiva also revealed significant deals with major companies in Europe and North America, contributing to an improved operating profit of $3.6 million. The company has updated its financial model, setting a medium-term target for 2027 and a longer-term target for 2030, and has authorized a $100 million share repurchase program.
Despite a decrease in cash and cash equivalents by $97 million due to the Sustain.Life acquisition, Workiva remains optimistic about its future performance, aiming to exceed $1 billion in revenue by 2027 and more than double that by 2030. These recent developments underscore Workiva's commitment to growth and its focus on ESG reporting solutions.
InvestingPro Insights
As Workiva (NYSE:WK) continues to navigate the evolving market for ESG reporting and back office software solutions, the latest data from InvestingPro paints a detailed picture of the company's financial health and market performance. With a market capitalization of $3.92 billion and a remarkable gross profit margin of 76.56% in the last twelve months as of Q2 2024, Workiva demonstrates strong profitability in its core operations. Despite not being profitable over the last twelve months, analysts are optimistic about the company's future, predicting profitability within this year.
InvestingPro Tips highlight that Workiva's liquid assets surpass its short-term obligations, indicating a solid liquidity position. The company operates with a moderate level of debt, which could be a strategic lever for growth as it invests in expanding its ESG reporting capabilities. Additionally, while the stock has experienced a decline in price total return over various timeframes, the long-term view reveals a high return over the last decade. It is also worth noting that Workiva does not pay a dividend, which could be a consideration for income-focused investors.
For investors seeking a deeper dive into Workiva's performance and prospects, InvestingPro offers additional tips that can provide further insights into the company's strategic positioning and financial nuances. In summary, the combination of Workiva's market focus and strong financial fundamentals, as reflected in the InvestingPro data and tips, could offer a compelling narrative for investors considering the company's stock.
For more InvestingPro Tips on Workiva, investors can explore the additional 7 tips available on https://www.investing.com/pro/WK.
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