On Tuesday, UBS analyst from the financial firm raised the price target on Entain PLC (LON:ENT:LN) (OTC: GMVHF) to £6.80 from the previous £6.10, while keeping a Neutral rating on the stock. The adjustment comes after evaluating Entain's first-half report and the subsequent performance outlook for the second half of the year.
The analyst noted that the core online business of Entain is expected to continue its upward trajectory throughout the second half of the year. This projection is supported by the company's recent release, which has been received positively and is considered an incremental positive for the stock. The expectation of additional tailwinds for Entain's performance in the UK market is also factored in, as new deposit limits are anticipated to influence results positively.
In light of the recent developments and Entain's performance, the analyst has increased the forecast for the company's group EBITDA for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 by approximately 1%. The updated forecast anticipates more data points supporting the core business's growth in the third and fourth quarters, with projected proforma organic growth of 3.9% and 6.6%, respectively.
The revised estimates lead to the anticipation that Entain could reach the higher end of its guided EBITDA range of £1.04 billion to £1.09 billion, with a target of £1.08 billion. This figure stands 4% above the Visible Alpha consensus, indicating a robust financial outlook for the company. The analyst's commentary underscores the positive momentum and strategic developments expected to drive Entain's performance in the near term.
InvestingPro Insights
Entain PLC (ENT:LN) (OTC: GMVHF) has been a topic of interest for investors, and recent analyses from UBS have brought further attention to the company's financial outlook. In alignment with the analyst's positive sentiment, InvestingPro offers key insights that may be valuable for those considering Entain's stock.
One of the notable InvestingPro Tips highlights Entain's ability to raise its dividend for three consecutive years, signaling a commitment to returning value to shareholders. This is complemented by the company's impressive gross profit margins, which stood at 81.34% over the last twelve months as of Q2 2024. Such strong margins demonstrate Entain's operational efficiency and its potential for sustaining profitability.
InvestingPro Data also provides a glimpse into the company's financial health and market performance. Entain's market capitalization is currently at $5.68 billion, and while the company has not been profitable over the last twelve months, with a P/E Ratio of -9.17, analysts predict that the company will be profitable this year. This prediction aligns with the UBS analyst's revised estimates and the expectation of continued growth in the core online business.
Moreover, investors may be encouraged by the company's recent one-month price total return, which shows a strong return of 22.48%. This suggests that in the short term, the market has responded well to Entain's strategies and performance.
For those looking for more in-depth analysis, InvestingPro offers additional tips on Entain, which can be accessed at https://www.investing.com/pro/ENT. These tips provide a broader context for Entain's market position and future prospects.
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