On Tuesday, Citi has increased the price target for Sotera Health (NASDAQ:SHC) shares to $20.00, up from the previous target of $18.00, while keeping a Buy rating on the stock. The adjustment follows Sotera Health's third-quarter earnings call, during which management confirmed its full-year 2024 guidance.
The company expects to achieve revenue in the range of $1.09 billion to $1.112 billion and an adjusted EBITDA between $549 million and $560 million. This represents a year-over-year growth of 4-6% for both metrics.
Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) for the fiscal year 2024 are projected to be between $0.67 and $0.75. The guidance assumes a steady recovery in its Sterigenics business and anticipates that around 60% of Nordion's revenue will be recognized in the second half of the year. The company also mentioned updates to the guidance, which included a reduction in capital expenditures for FY24 and a noted decline for Nelson Labs' Microbial Solutions Division (MSD) in the fourth quarter.
Regarding the ongoing ethylene oxide litigation, the company indicated that the phase I causation outcomes in Georgia are expected to be announced in early 2025 and that no new cases have been filed in California. The analyst from Citi acknowledged the long-term opportunities for Sotera Health while also recognizing the risks associated with the litigation.
In other recent news, Sotera Health has reported consistent growth across all business segments, with a significant rise in revenue and adjusted EBITDA in the second quarter of 2024. JPMorgan (NYSE:JPM) has adjusted its price target for Sotera Health from $14.00 to $15.00, maintaining a Neutral rating on the stock. The company's subsidiary, Nordion, anticipates that more than 60% of its fiscal year 2024 revenue will be generated in the second half of the year.
Sotera Health also announced a secondary offering of 25 million shares of common stock, offered exclusively by affiliates of Warburg Pincus LLC and GTCR LLC. This move is expected to result in these firms relinquishing their majority ownership in Sotera Health. Additionally, a board member, David A. Donnini, resigned from his position, reducing GTCR's designated directors from three to two.
Despite potential foreign exchange headwinds and a slight delay in Sterigenics' capacity expansion, Sotera Health reaffirmed its full-year 2024 outlook, projecting a 4% to 6% growth in revenue and adjusted EBITDA compared to 2023.
InvestingPro Insights
To complement Citi's positive outlook on Sotera Health (NASDAQ:SHC), recent data from InvestingPro provides additional context for investors. The company's market capitalization stands at $4.47 billion, reflecting its significant presence in the healthcare sector. Notably, Sotera Health has demonstrated robust revenue growth, with a 12.5% increase over the last twelve months as of Q2 2024, aligning with management's guidance for continued growth.
InvestingPro Tips highlight that Sotera Health is expected to see net income growth this year, which supports the company's positive earnings outlook. Additionally, the stock is trading at a low P/E ratio relative to near-term earnings growth, with a PEG ratio of 0.98, suggesting potential undervaluation relative to its growth prospects.
For investors seeking a more comprehensive analysis, InvestingPro offers 7 additional tips that could provide valuable insights into Sotera Health's financial health and market position.
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