On Friday, Citi downgraded Bumble Inc. (NASDAQ:BMBL) stock from Buy to Neutral, halving the price target from $12.00 to $6.00. The change follows a disappointing outlook for the company, which is attributed to the need for a comprehensive rebuild of the core Bumble app. The online dating company faces persistent challenges in attracting new users, even after an app refresh in April.
The downgrade comes in the wake of significant reductions in Bumble's earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) projections for the years 2025 and 2026, with estimates slashed by 33% and 43%, respectively.
The company's guidance for 2024 was also materially lowered. Citi highlighted that the management has not provided a clear timeline for the expected turnaround but emphasized that the rebuilding process will be time-consuming.
Citi's decision to downgrade Bumble's stock rating reflects concerns over the current state of Bumble's ecosystem. According to the firm, the necessity for a structural overhaul, rather than a quick fix, suggests that the platform's health was in decline. Management's strategy aims for a more sustainable long-term solution, though Citi notes that such fixes can be complex and the outcome remains uncertain.
Investors are advised that visibility into Bumble's future performance is significantly limited at this time. Citi has adopted a wait-and-see approach, moving to the sidelines until there are clear indicators of improvement in Bumble's operations and user growth trajectory. The firm awaits signals of a positive change before reconsidering its stance on the stock.
In other recent news, Bumble Inc. saw a 3% increase in total revenue in the second quarter of 2024, reaching $269 million, bolstered by a 14% rise in paying users.
However, the company's forecast for the third and fourth quarters of 2024 indicates a potential year-over-year revenue decline. Bumble's net earnings marked a significant jump to $38 million, up from $9 million the previous year, due to a 9% reduction in operating expenses.
BofA Securities has revised its stance on Bumble, downgrading the company's stock from Buy to Underperform and significantly reducing the price target. The company has also acquired the community app Geneva in an effort to diversify its offerings.
Amid these financial updates, Bumble is undergoing a strategic shift, focusing on enhancing customer experience and engagement, particularly in mature markets. These are recent developments that investors should be aware of.
InvestingPro Insights
As investors digest the recent downgrade of Bumble Inc. (NASDAQ:BMBL) by Citi, an examination of the company's financial health and stock performance via InvestingPro provides additional context. Notably, Bumble's market capitalization stands at a modest $986.18 million, while the company is trading at a P/E ratio of 17.61. This valuation comes in the wake of a significant price drop, with the stock experiencing a one-week total return of -32.98% and a one-year total return of -65.62%, reflecting the market's reaction to ongoing challenges and the recent earnings revision.
Despite the downward trend, there are a few silver linings. Bumble is projected to see net income growth this year, and the stock's current RSI suggests it is in oversold territory, which could indicate a potential rebound opportunity for vigilant investors. Moreover, the company's valuation implies a strong free cash flow yield, according to InvestingPro Tips. However, with four analysts revising their earnings downwards for the upcoming period, investor caution is warranted. For those interested in a deeper analysis, there are over 15 additional InvestingPro Tips available, offering a more comprehensive understanding of Bumble's financial position and stock behavior.
Investors considering Bumble's stock should take note of these insights and the additional tips available on InvestingPro, which may help in making a more informed decision about the stock's potential in light of the company's current rebuilding efforts.
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