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Goldman Sachs forecasts 18% upside for Rubrik stock, driven by improving efficiency and growth

EditorAhmed Abdulazez Abdulkadir
Published 10/09/2024, 11:14
RBRK
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On Tuesday, Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) reaffirmed its Buy rating and $48.00 price target for Rubrik Inc (NYSE:RBRK), following the company's impressive second fiscal quarter results. Rubrik's performance exceeded expectations with Subscription Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) surpassing consensus estimates by 3%, Cloud ARR and Revenue by 5%, and a 500 basis point outperformance in Contribution Margin. Additionally, Free Cash Flow Margin (FCFM) was 21 percentage points higher than anticipated.


Despite a 6% after-hours decline in Rubrik's stock price, Goldman Sachs believes the dip does not reflect the company's actual fiscal health. Rubrik reported a comprehensive set of results that included a significant raise in Subscription ARR, showcasing its strong execution in capturing a share of the $11 billion+ core backup market. This execution is supported by robust new business gains and a multi-threaded expansion strategy, which has led to a Net Revenue Retention (NRR) rate of over 120%.


Management at Rubrik has also increased the FY25 Contribution Margin guidance by 550 basis points, improving from -12% to -6.5%. This adjustment indicates a brighter growth outlook and better operational efficiency, driven by sales productivity and a growing renewal base. The company's progress towards enhancing its Rule Of profile is expected to be positively received by investors.


The report highlighted additional favorable developments, including strong initial adoption of Rubrik's Data Security and Protection Management (DSPM) product by over 50 customers, potential brand strengthening through joint customer recovery efforts with CrowdStrike (NASDAQ:CRWD) after a global IT outage, and a significant displacement win against a next-generation Cyber Recovery competitor. These factors validate the strength of Rubrik's data security platform.


Goldman Sachs also noted that the upcoming lockup expiration on September 11 might cause short-term volatility in Rubrik's stock. However, the firm anticipates that once this overhang is resolved, investor focus will likely shift back to Rubrik's fundamental performance. Goldman Sachs' outlook for Rubrik remains positive, forecasting a durable 20%+ ARR growth and a trajectory towards 20%+ operating margins.


In other recent news, Rubrik Inc. has seen impressive financial performance, with raised full-year guidance and strong cloud growth. The company's cloud Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) surged 80% to $678 million, exceeding consensus estimates by approximately 7%. This, coupled with a 35% increase in second quarter total revenue, led to an upward revision of full-year guidance. Guggenheim maintained a Buy rating on Rubrik, highlighting the company's potential for positive free cash flow next year.


In addition, Rubrik announced data protection support for Salesforce (NYSE:CRM), marking the third major Software-as-a-Service application now supported by the company. This expansion was positively received by investors and analysts, including KeyBanc, who maintained their Overweight rating and $48.00 price target.


Barclays (LON:BARC) also reiterated its Overweight rating on Rubrik, predicting an approximate net new ARR of $30-35 million for Q2 and expecting Rubrik to reach breakeven in terms of ARR contribution margin within the next one to two years. Piper Sandler initiated coverage of Rubrik, assigning an Overweight rating and setting a price target of $42, citing the company's effective go-to-market strategy. These are some of the recent developments that have been shaping Rubrik's trajectory.


InvestingPro Insights


According to the latest data from InvestingPro, Rubrik Inc (NYSE:RBRK) holds a market capitalization of $5.77 billion, reflecting its significant presence in the data security market. Despite challenges in profitability, with a negative P/E ratio over the last twelve months, the company's balance sheet is fortified by more cash than debt, indicating a solid liquidity position that may reassure investors concerned about financial stability.


InvestingPro Tips suggest that while analysts do not expect Rubrik to be profitable this year, there is optimism as eight analysts have revised their earnings upwards for the upcoming period. This consensus could signal confidence in the company's growth potential and operational improvements. Additionally, Rubrik's revenue growth remains robust, with a 15.98% increase over the last twelve months, indicating the company's continued expansion in its market segment.


For investors seeking more in-depth analysis, there are additional InvestingPro Tips available, providing a comprehensive look at the company's financial health and market performance. Rubrik's strategic moves and Goldman Sachs' reaffirmation of its Buy rating paint a picture of a company on the rise, with potential for significant growth as it continues to execute its business strategy effectively.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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