Index falls as earnings results weigh; pound above $1.33, Bodycote soars
Wednesday, Bernstein analysts maintained a Market Perform rating and an $88.00 price target for Fidelity National Information Services (NYSE:FIS) stock. The analysts, led by Harshita Rawat, evaluated the company’s fourth-quarter results and its future outlook, noting several areas of concern. According to InvestingPro data, FIS currently trades at an EV/EBITDA multiple of 12.75x and shows signs of being undervalued based on comprehensive Fair Value analysis. Fidelity National Information Services reported banking revenue growth of 1%, which fell short of the consensus estimate of 3%. Additionally, the company’s free cash flow (FCF) conversion was disappointing, coming in at 77% compared to the guided 85%, due to capital expenditures and working capital pressures.
The company’s guidance for 2025 FCF conversion is between 82-85%, which is below the investor day goal of over 90%. Furthermore, EBITDA for the banking sector was lower year-over-year, with margins down by 123 basis points. These results have led to a decrease in the stock value, which dropped by 15% as investors’ enthusiasm for potential improvement in banking revenue growth and FCF conversion diminished. InvestingPro analysis reveals that the stock has declined 11% in the past week alone, with technical indicators suggesting oversold conditions. Subscribers can access 8 additional ProTips and detailed financial metrics through the comprehensive Pro Research Report.
The analysts pointed out that the complexity of the financial numbers and the frequent adjustments each quarter are contributing to the pressure on the stock’s multiple. Prior to the recent decline, FIS’s valuation, excluding Worldpay and adjusted for earnings quality, banking clean growth, and normalized tax rate, was considered high compared to historical levels. However, following the stock’s recent drop, the adjusted FIS multiple is now at 16 times, which aligns with historical levels on an absolute basis and is below historical levels on a relative basis.
Rawat’s commentary emphasized that despite the underwhelming performance in key areas, the current valuation may present a better entry point for investors. The analysis suggests that the risk-reward balance and entry point for Fidelity National Information Services stock have improved following the decline in its share price. Notable strengths identified by InvestingPro include a perfect Piotroski Score of 9, indicating strong financial health, and a 23-year track record of consistent dividend payments.
In other recent news, Fidelity National Information Services (FIS) has been making headlines with a series of financial developments. Susquehanna analyst James Friedman downgraded FIS from Positive to Neutral and reduced the price target to $81, citing concerns over the company’s financial performance and fading margins. Similarly, Stephens analyst Charles Nabhan revised the FIS price target to $90 while maintaining an Overweight rating, following a sell-off in shares due to a disappointing outlook for 2025.
BofA Securities also adjusted its outlook on FIS, reducing the price target to $87 but still recommending the stock as a Buy. The revision followed FIS’s announcement of a lower than anticipated free cash flow (FCF) conversion rate for 2024. Raymond (NSE:RYMD) James analyst also reduced the price target for FIS to $78.00, while maintaining an Outperform rating on the company’s shares, following FIS’s fourth-quarter results which showed revenues slightly below expectations.
For the first quarter of 2025, FIS projects EPS of $1.17-$1.22, below the $1.28 analyst estimate, and revenue of $2.485-$2.51 billion, also below the $2.569 billion consensus. The recent developments have led some analysts to recommend a "wait and see" approach for investors. While there is potential for margin growth and a commitment to returning cash to shareholders, FIS faces the challenge of demonstrating improved results throughout the year.
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