On Tuesday, Stifel adjusted its outlook on Lucid Group Inc. (NASDAQ:LCID), increasing the price target to $4.00 from the previous $3.00, while retaining a Hold rating on the stock. The revision follows Lucid's second-quarter financial performance, which saw the electric vehicle maker's revenue exceed expectations by 20.2%. However, the company's adjusted EBITDA did not meet projections.
The report highlighted Lucid's recent announcement of securing up to $1.5 billion in additional funding from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF). This strategic move is anticipated to provide Lucid with ample liquidity through the fourth quarter of 2025.
Despite the positive revenue news and the secured funding, concerns about the company's cash burn persist. Stifel underscored the importance of Lucid's execution on reducing costs and ramping up production volumes as vital steps towards achieving profitability.
Stifel's report concluded by reinforcing its Hold rating for Lucid Group. The firm cited uncertainties regarding the timing of when the company will become profitable as the reason for maintaining this cautious stance. The price target increase to $4 reflects the firm's acknowledgment of Lucid's revenue performance and the recent financial backing, balanced against the ongoing challenges the company faces.
In other recent news, Lucid Group announced its second quarter 2024 earnings, reporting significant milestones in vehicle production and deliveries. The luxury electric vehicle manufacturer delivered 2,394 vehicles, a 70.5% increase year-over-year, and produced 2,110 vehicles in the quarter. The company's revenue for the quarter stood at $200.6 million, marking a 32.9% increase from the same period last year. Lucid also secured a $1.5 billion financing agreement with the Public Investment Fund to bolster its financial position.
Lucid Group expects to increase its research and development expenses in the latter half of the year, with plans to strategically expand their studio and service center footprint. The company also anticipates an upturn in Q4, following a potential lower performance in Q3 due to the summer months.
InvestingPro Insights
Recent data from InvestingPro underscores the financial landscape for Lucid Group Inc. (NASDAQ:LCID). With a market capitalization of $7.15 billion, Lucid's financial health shows a mixed picture. Notably, the company holds more cash than debt on its balance sheet, which is a positive sign for investors concerned about liquidity. This aligns with Stifel's observation of Lucid's recent financial boost from Saudi Arabia's PIF, expected to provide sufficient liquidity through late 2025.
On the other hand, Lucid's challenges are evident through metrics such as a negative P/E ratio of -2.86 and a gross profit margin of -162.6% for the last twelve months as of Q2 2024. These figures reflect the company's current lack of profitability and the substantial costs it faces. Despite these hurdles, analysts anticipate sales growth in the current year, which may be a factor in Stifel's decision to increase the price target for Lucid's stock.
InvestingPro Tips also reveal that Lucid is quickly burning through cash and has been trading with high price volatility. The stock has taken a significant hit over the last year, with a price total return of -54.68%, emphasizing the concerns mentioned by Stifel about the timing of Lucid's path to profitability. For readers interested in a deeper analysis, InvestingPro offers additional tips, providing a comprehensive view of Lucid's financial performance and market position.
For more detailed analysis and further InvestingPro Tips on Lucid Group Inc., visit InvestingPro.
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