On Wednesday, RBC Capital adjusted its stock price target for GE Aerospace (NYSE:GE), bringing it down to $200 from the previous $210, while continuing to endorse the stock with an Outperform rating.
The adjustment follows the release of GE Aerospace's third-quarter financial results for 2024, which included an adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.15, slightly above the consensus estimate of $1.13. Revenue for the quarter was reported at $8.9 billion, marking a 6% year-over-year increase.
This quarter's financial announcement is the second since GE Aerospace began operating as a standalone entity. Despite mixed sentiments around the company's performance, GE Aerospace has upgraded its full-year 2024 guidance for most financial metrics. However, the company has also revised its forecast for LEAP engine deliveries, now expecting a 10% decline over the year.
The third-quarter results revealed that the number of engine shop visits remained unchanged, which was seen as a letdown. Nonetheless, this aspect also underscored the potential for earnings as the supply chain issues are addressed and production of new Leap High-Pressure Turbine (HPT) blades increases.
RBC Capital's decision to maintain an Outperform rating reflects a positive outlook on GE Aerospace's future performance despite the lowered price target. The firm's commentary suggests confidence in the company's earnings capacity as it navigates supply chain challenges and ramps up production of its new Leap HPT blades. The revised stockprice target of $200 takes into account the latest quarterly results and the updated company guidance for the year.
In other recent news, GE Aerospace has reported robust financial results. The company experienced a significant 28% increase in orders, contributing to a 6% rise in revenue and a 14% growth in operating profit.
Adjusted earnings per share soared by 25%, and the company generated a substantial $1.8 billion in free cash flow. The backlog of orders now stands at an impressive $149 billion, predominantly linked to services. In light of this performance, GE Aerospace has elevated its full-year operating profit guidance to between $6.7 billion and $6.9 billion.
Meanwhile, Wells Fargo (NYSE:WFC) has increased the price target for GE Aerospace from $205 to $210, maintaining an Overweight rating on the shares. The adjustment follows market conditions, which the Wells Fargo analyst attributed to overly ambitious expectations and a challenging day for the Aerospace & Defense sector.
On the other hand, UBS also maintained a positive stance on the company, lifting its price target to $230, acknowledging the company's consistent top-line growth, margin expansion, and robust cash flow generation.
Despite a decline in the Defense & Propulsion Technologies segment profit and a 4% drop in total engine deliveries due to supply chain issues, the company remains optimistic. The Commercial Engines & Services segment saw a 29% surge in orders and a 10% growth in services revenue.
Moreover, GE Aerospace is investing $1 billion in MRO to enhance aftermarket capacity and is opening a new LEAP MRO shop in Poland. These are some of the recent developments in the company.
InvestingPro Insights
GE Aerospace's recent performance and future outlook can be further illuminated by data from InvestingPro. The company's market capitalization stands at an impressive $191.2 billion, reflecting its significant presence in the Aerospace & Defense industry. Despite the recent price target adjustment by RBC Capital, GE's stock has shown remarkable strength, with a 108.78% total return over the past year.
InvestingPro Tips highlight that GE has maintained dividend payments for 54 consecutive years, demonstrating a commitment to shareholder returns even as it navigates industry challenges. This consistency aligns with the company's resilience in the face of supply chain issues mentioned in the article.
Moreover, InvestingPro data shows that GE's revenue for the last twelve months as of Q3 2024 reached $61.91 billion, with a robust growth rate of 21.95%. This growth trajectory supports the company's decision to upgrade its full-year 2024 guidance for most financial metrics, as noted in the article.
For investors seeking a deeper understanding of GE's potential, InvestingPro offers 13 additional tips, providing a comprehensive analysis of the company's financial health and market position.
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