On Wednesday, TD Cowen maintained a positive outlook on shares of Seagate Technology (NASDAQ:STX), reiterating a Buy rating and a price target of $135.00. The firm's analysis highlighted Seagate's profitability, which has exceeded expectations, with gross margins (GMs) hitting approximately 34% in the December quarter, marking a record high.
The report pointed out that the hyperscale spending cycle is still in its early stages, suggesting potential for continued growth.
While the timing for key customer qualification of Seagate's Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR) technology remains uncertain, potentially materializing in the first quarter of 2025, the firm noted that such technological advancements often do not follow a linear trajectory. This perspective draws a parallel with ASML (AS:ASML)'s EUV technology development between 2010 and 2018.
TD Cowen's commentary followed a recent call with Seagate, after which the firm's calendar year 2025 earnings per share (EPS) estimate for the company remains largely unchanged. The stock price target of $135 also stays consistent, reflecting the firm's confidence in Seagate's financial performance and technological advancements in the near future.
Seagate Technology, known for its data storage solutions, has been focusing on innovation to keep up with the evolving demands of data management and storage. The mention of HAMR technology is significant as it represents the next generation of storage technology that could potentially increase the data density of hard drives.
The affirmation of the Buy rating and price target comes as Seagate continues to navigate the tech market, aiming to capitalize on the ongoing demand for data storage driven by the expansion of cloud computing and big data analytics.
In other recent news, Seagate Technology has been making significant strides, as evidenced by its robust financial performance and promising market outlook. The company recently reported revenues of $2.17 billion and earnings per share (EPS) of $1.58, exceeding estimates. This success was driven by a significant 49% increase in year-over-year revenue and a 55% rise in hard disk drive sales.
A surge in demand for Nearline drives from cloud service providers and an uptick in demand from Enterprise and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) customers has been noted. Rosenblatt Securities and Citi have increased their price targets for Seagate to $140 and $130, respectively, based on these strong results.
Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS), however, maintained a neutral rating on Seagate, despite adjusting its non-GAAP EPS forecasts for the company for the calendar years 2024-2026, reducing them by an average of 10%.
The company is also making progress with its Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR)-based drive qualifications, expecting to commence broader shipments to customers by mid-2025. This technology is anticipated to positively impact Seagate's corporate gross margin.
In other company news, Seagate's shareholders approved executive pay and the re-allotment of shares during the recent Annual General Meeting. Moreover, Robert A. Bruggeworth, a member of the Board of Directors, announced he will not stand for re-election at the upcoming Annual General Meeting of Shareholders. These are among the recent developments shaping Seagate Technology's market journey.
InvestingPro Insights
Seagate Technology's recent performance aligns with TD Cowen's positive outlook, as reflected in InvestingPro data. The company's market capitalization stands at $23.71 billion, underscoring its significant presence in the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry.
Seagate's revenue for the last twelve months reached $6.55 billion, with a notable quarterly revenue growth of 17.79% in Q4 2024, indicating a robust recovery in line with the hyperscale spending cycle mentioned in the article.
InvestingPro Tips highlight that Seagate is trading at a low P/E ratio relative to near-term earnings growth, with a PEG ratio of 0.44. This suggests that the stock may be undervalued considering its growth prospects, which could support TD Cowen's bullish price target. Seagate has maintained dividend payments for 14 consecutive years, currently offering a dividend yield of 2.49%, which may attract income-focused investors.
The company's strong performance is further evidenced by its impressive 77.86% price total return over the past year, and it is currently trading near its 52-week high at 97.68% of that peak. These metrics reinforce the positive sentiment expressed in the article regarding Seagate's financial health and market position.
For investors seeking a deeper understanding of Seagate's potential, InvestingPro offers 13 additional tips, providing a comprehensive analysis to inform investment decisions.
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