On Friday, Investec increased the price target for Bharti Airtel Ltd (BHARTI:IN) shares to INR1,560, up from the previous INR971, while maintaining a Hold rating on the stock. The revision reflects the firm's anticipation of a significant reduction in the company's net debt to EBITDA ratio and robust free cash flow (FCF) growth.
The analyst at Investec projects that Bharti Airtel's net debt to EBITDA will decrease from 2.5 times in the fiscal year 2024 to 1.2 times by the fiscal year 2027, estimating a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 33% in the company's free cash flow. This optimistic outlook is based on the expectation of strong operational performance and financial health of the telecom giant in the coming years.
Bharti Airtel's financial strategy is expected to benefit from no further spectrum purchases anticipated until 2030. This strategic move is likely to result in increased cash flow availability for capital expenditures and the repayment of existing debt, thereby improving the company's balance sheet.
Investec's revised price target suggests a positive outlook on Bharti Airtel's ability to generate cash and manage its debt, despite the Hold rating indicating that the stock's current price may already reflect the firm's future financial prospects.
The update from Investec comes at a time when investors are closely monitoring the financial metrics and strategic decisions of major telecom players, with Bharti Airtel's financial discipline and growth trajectory being key points of interest.
In other recent news, Citi has focused on Bharti Airtel in its recent analysis. The financial services firm has increased its price target on Bharti Airtel from INR1,520 to INR1,750, maintaining a Buy rating. This adjustment comes in the wake of recent tariff hikes by competitor Jio, which Bharti Airtel and Voda Idea are expected to match soon.
Citi's revised price target reflects a 15% increase from the previous figure. This upward revision is due to an anticipated 2-5% rise in Bharti Airtel's average revenue per user (ARPU) estimates for the fiscal years 2025 to 2027. These projections are based on the higher-than-expected tariff hikes by Jio.
Moreover, Citi has also increased the target enterprise value to EBITDA (EV/EBITDA) multiple for Bharti Airtel's India business from 11x to 12x. This change is attributed to the improving dynamics within the telecom industry, including lessening competitive intensity, Jio's new focus on monetization, and evident government support.
Citi's new target also takes into account recent updates to its model for Airtel Africa, part of Bharti Airtel's international portfolio. These recent developments suggest a positive outlook for Bharti Airtel, based on the company's strategic moves and favorable market conditions.
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