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On Wednesday, BNP Paribas (OTC:BNPQY) Exane has raised its rating on Victrex (LON:VCTX) Plc. (VCT:LN) (OTC: VTXPF) stock from Neutral to Outperform, setting the price target at GBP14.60. The decision follows Victrex's recent financial results and management guidance which, despite falling short of second-half 2024 consensus estimates by 10%, led to a 15% increase in share price.
The analyst from BNP Paribas Exane has pointed out that Victrex is currently trading at a relatively low premium compared to its peers, with a 25% premium versus the five-year average of 47%. This valuation is viewed as unjustified given the company's prospects. The firm is poised to enter the fiscal year 2025 as a high-quality cyclical stock that offers volume growth potential, low pricing risk, and minimal leverage.
Victrex's favorable position is further supported by its potential for free cash flow generation. Unlike its competitors, Victrex is expected to begin a cycle of lower capital expenditures. In light of these observations, the analyst has revised estimates to account for more conservative volume growth but has also increased the price target to 1,460p. This adjustment reflects a discounted cash flow roll-over and a lower weighted average cost of capital.
The upgrade to Outperform is a signal of confidence in Victrex's performance as the company heads into the next fiscal year. The new guidance provided by management has been a significant factor in underpinning consensus expectations, contributing to the positive outlook for the stock.
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