Barclays initiates Aveanna Healthcare stock with Equalweight rating

Published 02/07/2025, 10:56
Barclays initiates Aveanna Healthcare stock with Equalweight rating

Investing.com - Barclays (LON:BARC) initiated coverage on Aveanna Healthcare Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:AVAH) with an Equalweight rating and a price target of $5.50. The healthcare provider, currently valued at $1.03 billion, has shown remarkable strength with a 94.55% return over the past year. According to InvestingPro analysis, the stock appears to be trading near its Fair Value.

The research firm noted that Aveanna primarily operates in the private duty nursing business, which represents approximately 70% of segment gross profits and is a Medicaid-dominant service where demand exceeds supply.

Barclays acknowledged that since the 2022 labor crisis, Aveanna has successfully secured higher rates from state partners, established preferred partnerships with payors, and improved margins.

Despite potential near-term earnings upside, Barclays expressed concerns that 2026 Street EBITDA expectations of $216 million and margins of 9.5% appear somewhat optimistic, while broader uncertainty around Medicaid policy will likely slow rate increases.

The firm also highlighted a recent 3% month-over-month decline in industry home health labor employment in April as an early concern that warrants monitoring, concluding that the stock presents a balanced risk/reward profile.

In other recent news, Aveanna Healthcare Holdings Inc. reported its first-quarter 2025 earnings, surpassing expectations with an earnings per share (EPS) of $0.10, compared to the forecasted loss of $0.0014. The company’s revenue reached $559 million, exceeding the anticipated $513.7 million, and marking a 14% year-over-year increase. Aveanna projects its 2025 revenue to exceed $2.15 billion, with adjusted EBITDA expected to be over $270 million. The company announced its plans to acquire ThriveSkilled Pediatrics, which is anticipated to enhance its preferred payer and government affairs strategies.

Additionally, Aveanna recently held its 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, where stockholders voted on the election of directors and ratification of the company’s independent auditor. The ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent auditor was approved. Furthermore, the company received approval for a non-binding advisory resolution on executive compensation. These developments reflect ongoing stockholder confidence in Aveanna’s leadership and financial oversight.

Analysts have shown interest in Aveanna’s Medicaid policy discussions and its future rate enhancements, emphasizing the company’s proactive approach to financial management. The firm has also seen positive momentum in preferred payer agreements, with significant year-over-year growth in revenue and adjusted EBITDA. Aveanna continues to focus on strategic acquisitions and payer agreements to enhance future performance.

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

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers
© 2007-2025 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.