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Investing.com - Berenberg initiated coverage on Telefonica (BME:TEF) S.A. (NYSE:TEF) with a Hold rating and a price target of EUR4.30 on Thursday. The telecommunications giant, currently trading at $5.16 and near its 52-week high of $5.48, appears undervalued according to InvestingPro analysis.
The research firm cited Telefonica’s "powerful mix of assets" but expressed concern about the company’s high debt levels and limited growth prospects in key markets Spain and Germany. With a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.31 and a market capitalization of $29.55 billion, the company maintains a strong 19% free cash flow yield, according to InvestingPro data.
Berenberg noted these challenges could leave the Spanish telecommunications giant with "limited options" as it approaches the results of its strategic review expected in the second half of 2025.
The firm specifically highlighted comments from Telefonica Chairman/CEO Marc Murtra suggesting a new determination at the European Commission to allow consolidation in the telecom sector, but cautioned that regulatory changes could take up to two years.
Berenberg also warned that a potential acquisition of 100% of Virgin Media O2 UK from Liberty Global (NASDAQ:LBTYA) would significantly increase Telefonica’s debt burden, potentially raising its gearing to 4.7x (or 3.5x including hybrids).
In other recent news, Telefonica is reportedly considering a significant reduction in its workforce, potentially eliminating between 4,000 to 5,000 jobs. This move is part of the company’s ongoing strategy to decrease structural costs and improve operational efficiency. According to a report by El Confidencial, which cites anonymous financial sources, the job cuts are expected to result in annual cost savings of 285 million euros starting from 2025. This follows a similar action last year when Telefonica cut approximately 3,400 positions. Since 2008, the company has reduced its payroll by a total of 20,000 jobs as part of its long-term plan to streamline operations. These developments indicate Telefonica’s continued efforts to manage costs effectively. The information highlights the company’s focus on enhancing its operational framework through workforce adjustments.
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