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On Thursday, Benchmark analysts maintained their Buy rating and $19.00 price target for Paramount Global (NASDAQ:PARA), despite acknowledging a disappointing fourth quarter. According to InvestingPro data, this target aligns with the broader analyst consensus, which ranges from $10 to $20, suggesting potential upside from the current price of $11.12. The stock currently trades below its InvestingPro Fair Value, indicating it may be undervalued. The analysts pointed out that while Paramount’s direct-to-consumer (DTC) segment showed improvement in both subscriber numbers and profitability, challenges in the core TV Media segment persisted. This performance came despite expectations of a boost from political advertising revenues. The company, with annual revenue of $29.2 billion and a market capitalization of $7.4 billion, maintains strong liquidity with a current ratio of 1.3, indicating sufficient assets to cover short-term obligations.
The analysts emphasized that Paramount’s upcoming deal with Skydance is a pivotal factor for the company’s valuation, suggesting the potential for increased worth beyond the current share price. The deal, expected to close by this summer, could bring additional synergies and a capital infusion that might strengthen Paramount’s balance sheet. Moreover, the possibility of selling non-core assets was also mentioned as a strategy to improve financial health.
Despite the risks, Benchmark analysts believe there is a higher likelihood of the deal with Skydance being finalized than falling through. They suggested that the closure of the deal should encourage investors to re-engage and reassess their positions in Paramount Global’s stock.
The statement from Benchmark comes after Paramount’s fourth quarter results, which did not fully meet investor expectations. The success of the DTC segment was a highlight, but it was not enough to offset the concerns surrounding the core TV Media business.
Investors and stakeholders in Paramount Global are now looking ahead to the outcome of the Skydance deal, which is seen as a significant event that could reshape investor sentiment and the company’s future prospects. InvestingPro analysis reveals additional insights about Paramount’s financial health and future outlook, with analysts predicting profitability this year. For deeper analysis and more exclusive insights, including 6 additional ProTips and comprehensive valuation metrics, check out the full Pro Research Report available on InvestingPro.
In other recent news, Paramount Global reported its fourth-quarter 2024 earnings, missing both earnings per share (EPS) and revenue forecasts. The company posted an EPS of $0.11, falling short of the expected $0.20, and reported revenue of $7.98 billion, below the forecasted $8.11 billion. Despite these financial challenges, Paramount+ added 5.6 million subscribers, bringing the total to 77.5 million. The company generated $489 million in free cash flow, highlighting its ability to navigate a competitive streaming market. Analysts have noted the challenges in the linear TV sector, which continue to impact overall revenue. Paramount Global’s full-year adjusted OIBDA grew by 30% to $3.1 billion, driven by improvements in direct-to-consumer profitability. Looking ahead, the company anticipates adjusted EBITDA growth in 2025, excluding major events like the Super Bowl. Additionally, Paramount Global renewed distribution agreements with Comcast (NASDAQ:CMCSA) and YouTube TV, reinforcing its content value proposition.
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