On Thursday, JPMorgan (NYSE:JPM) updated its outlook on Synopsys (NASDAQ:SNPS), increasing the price target to $685 from the previous $655 while reaffirming an Overweight rating. The firm's assessment follows Synopsys' strong performance in the July quarter and optimistic guidance for the October quarter.
Synopsys reported robust demand for electronic design automation (EDA) tools, which was evident in their solid July quarter results. The company also provided a positive outlook for the October quarter, maintaining its forecast for 15% year-over-year revenue growth in fiscal year 2024, with improved operating margins and earnings.
Despite concerns over a potential slowdown in bookings or backlog cancellations due to budget cuts at a major customer, Intel (NASDAQ:INTC), Synopsys has not observed any significant changes to its growth expectations. The company's book-to-bill ratio remained at or above 1 for the second consecutive quarter, and its backlog increased by 22% year-over-year to $7.9 billion, setting the stage for sustained revenue growth into fiscal year 2025.
The firm highlighted Synopsys' strategic importance to its customers' technology and product roadmaps, describing EDA spending as one of the last areas to face cuts due to its defensive nature. Synopsys has seen strong momentum in various segments, including analog/mixed signal design, with 30 displacements year-to-date, and in hardware-assisted verification and intellectual property.
Synopsys is also experiencing significant adoption of its new AI tools, ASO.AI and VSO.AI, with a major U.S. GPU company deploying VSO.AI across multiple IPs and 30 customer evaluations for ASO.AI. Additionally, hardware sales have been strong, with new customer adoption and expansion noted, such as a ZeBu emulation win at a large U.S. hyperscaler and increased adoption at large European customers.
Regarding the pending acquisition of ANSYS, JPMorgan expressed confidence that the deal is on track to close in the first half of 2025. The acquisition is expected to be transformative, providing a unified platform for chip design through full systems design and analysis. In light of these developments, JPMorgan has raised its forward estimates and introduced its calendar year 2025 estimates, setting a December 2025 price target of $685.
In other recent news, Synopsys Inc . reported a successful third quarter, with earnings and revenue exceeding analyst expectations. The company posted an adjusted earnings per share of $3.43, surpassing the analyst estimate of $3.28. Revenue also rose by 13% year-over-year to a record $1.53 billion, slightly above the consensus expectation of $1.52 billion.
Looking forward, Synopsys anticipates full-year revenue growth of approximately 15%, a projection buoyed by "continued, strong execution and business momentum." The company also expects non-GAAP EPS growth of about 24% while expanding non-GAAP operating margin by two percentage points.
These recent developments indicate a strong performance attributed to "leadership products and relentless execution," according to CFO Shelagh Glaser. The company's Design Automation segment and its Design IP segment both contributed to the quarterly results. As Synopsys continues to play a critical role in technology innovation, its customer set is expanding, as noted by president and CEO Sassine Ghazi.
InvestingPro Insights
As Synopsys (NASDAQ:SNPS) continues to demonstrate strong financial health and growth potential, insights from InvestingPro underscore several key aspects of the company's performance. The firm's impressive gross profit margin of 80.39% in the last twelve months as of Q2 2024 reflects its operational efficiency and market position. Additionally, Synopsys operates with a moderate level of debt, which suggests a balanced approach to leveraging and financial risk management.
InvestingPro Data also reveals that Synopsys has a market capitalization of $86.52 billion, and while trading at a high earnings multiple with a P/E ratio of 60.32, the company's revenue growth of 25.53% over the last twelve months indicates a strong expansion trajectory. Furthermore, Synopsys' cash flows can sufficiently cover interest payments, which is a reassuring sign for investors concerned about the company's financial obligations.
For those seeking more in-depth analysis, there are additional InvestingPro Tips available, including insights into Synopsys' valuation multiples and analyst predictions for profitability. With the company's strategic positioning and robust financial metrics, investors may find these tips valuable for making informed decisions. To explore further, visit InvestingPro for Synopsys for a comprehensive list of tips and data points.
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