On Wednesday, DA Davidson showed confidence in Planet Fitness (NYSE:PLNT) by raising its price target on the stock to $70.00 from the previous $62.00, while maintaining a Neutral rating. The adjustment follows the fitness chain's report of a second-quarter earnings beat, attributed in part to an earlier-than-expected shift of some equipment sales.
Planet Fitness recently confirmed it is on track with its 2024 financial guidance. In response to the company's performance, DA Davidson has increased its second-half 2024 earnings per share (EPS) estimate by $0.05. The revision is based on anticipated revenue growth driven by stronger same-store sales.
Analysts at DA Davidson also anticipate that Planet Fitness's new store openings for 2024 will likely be at the lower end of the company's projected range of 140 to 150. Despite the raised EPS estimates for the second half of the year, the firm exercises caution and prefers to wait for the new CEO to provide a clearer picture of the company's growth prospects before adopting a more positive stance.
The firm's decision to lift the target price is also influenced by the resolution of a key uncertainty—the selection of a new CEO. With this development, DA Davidson has increased the target price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio for Planet Fitness to 24 times, up from 22 times. This new P/E ratio is applied to the anticipated 2025 EPS of $2.90.
In summary, DA Davidson has raised its annual EPS forecasts for Planet Fitness by 2%-3% and accordingly adjusted the price target to $70, based on the updated P/E multiple. The firm's stance remains cautiously optimistic as it awaits further strategic insights from the newly appointed chief executive.
In other recent news, Planet Fitness has announced positive developments in its Q2 earnings call. The fitness company reported a 4.2% increase in same-store sales and an expansion to over 2,600 stores. Adjusted EBITDA saw a 7.2% rise, and the company returned over $1.3 billion to shareholders through share repurchases. Planet Fitness also revealed a refinancing of its debt from $600 million to $800 million, taking advantage of favorable rates.
CEO Colleen Keating shared a new growth model aimed at enhancing store returns and emphasized the importance of franchisee profit. Plans to hire a Chief Development Officer and a Chief Marketing Officer were also announced to support growth. The company maintained its positive outlook for 2024, with specific targets for new store openings, equipment placements, and same-store sales growth.
However, the timing of equipment replacement and promotions could affect the adjusted EBITDA outlook. The company is also focusing on attracting 80% of Americans without gym memberships, backed by an annual marketing spend of approximately $300 million.
InvestingPro Insights
With the recent analysis from DA Davidson boosting Planet Fitness's stock outlook, additional insights from InvestingPro further enrich the investment narrative. Notably, Planet Fitness boasts an impressive gross profit margin of 62.6% for the last twelve months as of Q2 2024, underlining the company's ability to maintain profitability. Additionally, the fitness chain has demonstrated a strong return over the last three months, with a 23.19% price total return, reflecting positive investor sentiment and market performance.
However, investors should be aware of the valuation metrics. Planet Fitness is currently trading at a high earnings multiple, with a P/E ratio of 41.38, which suggests a premium compared to the industry average. This is further emphasized by a PEG ratio of 1.75, indicating the stock's price may be high relative to its earnings growth potential. Such metrics are crucial for investors considering the stock's growth trajectory and valuation.
For those looking to dive deeper into the financial health and future prospects of Planet Fitness, InvestingPro offers additional tips and metrics. There are 11 more InvestingPro Tips available, providing a comprehensive analysis to help investors make well-informed decisions. The InvestingPro product also includes an estimated fair value of $81.03 for Planet Fitness, offering a reference point for potential investors.
As DA Davidson awaits more clarity from the new CEO's strategy, these InvestingPro insights provide current and prospective shareholders with a broader context for evaluating Planet Fitness's financial position and market valuation.
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