Barclays downgrades Otis Worldwide stock to Underweight, cautious on construction market

On Thursday, Barclays (LON:BARC) issued a downgrade for Otis Worldwide Corp (NYSE: NYSE:OTIS), shifting its stock rating from Equalweight to Underweight and adjusting the price target to $94.00. The rating change is attributed to anticipated challenges in the company's earnings and valuation, influenced by weaker greenfield non-residential construction activity, particularly in the multi-family and office segments. InvestingPro data shows the stock is currently trading above its Fair Value, with a P/E ratio of 25.03 and a market capitalization of $40.4 billion.

The analyst from Barclays highlighted concerns about the impact of the current construction trends on Otis Worldwide's financial performance. "Weaker greenfield non-residential (esp. multi-family and office) construction activity is likely to weigh on earnings and the valuation," the analyst stated, suggesting that the expected downturn in specific construction sectors could negatively affect the company's results. InvestingPro analysis reveals that 7 analysts have revised their earnings downwards for the upcoming period, though the company maintains a GOOD overall Financial Health Score.

Furthermore, the analyst expressed skepticism regarding the protective attributes of the stock in the current economic climate. Despite the stock's traditionally defensive qualities, the analyst believes these may not offer much advantage in a scenario where Purchasing Managers' Indexes (PMIs) are showing signs of improvement.

According to InvestingPro data, while the stock generally trades with low volatility and has delivered a strong 14.84% return year-to-date, it's currently trading at a high P/E ratio relative to its near-term earnings growth. Subscribers can access 8 additional ProTips and a comprehensive Pro Research Report for deeper insights.

The revised price target of $94.00 reflects a more cautious outlook on the company's future performance in light of these industry-specific headwinds. The downgrade and new price target were announced amid observations of the broader market environment and sector-specific challenges.

Otis Worldwide Corp, known for its manufacturing and service of elevators, escalators, and moving walkways, is now positioned with a less favorable outlook from Barclays, as the firm anticipates the aforementioned factors to play a significant role in the company's ability to sustain its earnings growth and maintain its market valuation.

In other recent news, Otis Worldwide Corporation has announced a mix of growth and challenges in its financial performance. The company's Q3 2024 financial results showed net sales reaching $3.5 billion, driven by a rise in the Service segment, while New Equipment orders, particularly in China, experienced a decline. Despite these challenges, Otis projects overall sales growth and an increase in adjusted EPS for the upcoming year.

Otis has also issued $600 million in 5.125% notes due 2031 and its subsidiary, Highland Holdings, issued €850 million in 2.875% notes due 2027. The proceeds from these offerings will be used for debt repayment and other corporate needs. Otis Worldwide has also announced a dividend of $0.39 per share.

These recent developments emphasize Otis's strategic financial management amidst economic challenges. Analysts have noted the decline in New Equipment revenue in China, but also highlighted the rise in the modernization backlog and slight improvement in Service margins, driven by increased volumes and effective pricing strategies.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.