Benchmark maintains Buy rating on DraftKings stock, $51 target

Published 15/04/2025, 15:26
Benchmark maintains Buy rating on DraftKings stock, $51 target

Tuesday, Benchmark analyst Mike Hickey reaffirmed a Buy rating on DraftKings Inc. (NASDAQ: NASDAQ:DKNG), currently trading at $33.77, with a steady price target of $51.00. This aligns with the broader analyst consensus, which remains strongly bullish with targets ranging from $35 to $75. According to InvestingPro analysis, DraftKings appears undervalued based on its Fair Value estimate. Hickey’s endorsement comes even as DraftKings faces a challenging first quarter, with results impacted by an unexpected outcome during March Madness. Despite this, Hickey believes the market has already accounted for this setback.

The analyst remains optimistic about DraftKings’ prospects, citing several factors that could fuel the company’s growth. This optimism is supported by the company’s impressive 30% revenue growth over the last twelve months to $4.77 billion, with analysts expecting 35% growth in 2025. These include effective customer acquisition strategies, an expansion of product offerings, and improvements in structural hold, which is the percentage of wagers kept by the bookmaker after paying out winners. Hickey anticipates that the handle, or total amount bet, grew in the low to mid-teens during the first quarter and expects a similar growth trajectory for the second quarter. He forecasts a reacceleration of growth in the latter half of 2025.

Hickey notes that while April has already shown a rebound in hold percentages, engagement trends remain strong, suggesting that the recent decline in stock value may be a temporary occurrence. InvestingPro data shows the stock has experienced a 21.7% decline over the past year, though it maintains a strong long-term return profile. He advises investors to consider purchasing shares during this dip. Adding to the positive outlook is DraftKings’ $1 billion buyback program, which Hickey views as a demonstration of the management’s confidence in the company’s long-term growth potential. InvestingPro Tips highlight expected net income growth and sales expansion this year, with six more exclusive insights available to subscribers.

Moreover, the analyst points out the defensive nature of online gaming, suggesting that it could be resilient in the face of economic downturns, providing an additional layer of security for investors considering DraftKings stock. For a deeper understanding of DraftKings’ investment potential, InvestingPro offers a comprehensive Pro Research Report, part of its analysis of 1,400+ US stocks, providing actionable insights and detailed financial metrics for informed investment decisions.

In other recent news, DraftKings Inc. has seen a series of analyst updates and financial projections. CFRA upgraded DraftKings from Hold to Buy, citing the company’s potential for growth and resilience in the market, while slightly lowering the price target to $52. Guggenheim Securities maintained its Buy rating but reduced the price target to $61, reflecting challenges faced during the NCAA Tournament and revising first-quarter revenue and EBITDA forecasts downward. Needham also kept a Buy rating with a $65 target, despite adjusting first-quarter EBITDA estimates due to March Madness outcomes.

Citizens JMP reaffirmed a Market Outperform rating with a $57 target, viewing the current stock dip as a buying opportunity amid broader market challenges. Additionally, Citizens JMP maintained a $60 price target after meeting with DraftKings’ leadership, expressing confidence in the company’s long-term prospects. These developments highlight the varied analyst perspectives on DraftKings, focusing on its financial performance, market challenges, and growth potential.

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

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