BofA cuts Weibo stock price target to $8.50, retains underperform

Published 21/05/2025, 21:28
BofA cuts Weibo stock price target to $8.50, retains underperform

On Wednesday, BofA Securities analyst Miranda Zhuang adjusted the price target for Weibo Corp (NASDAQ:WB) shares to $8.50, down from the previous $8.90. Despite this reduction, Zhuang maintained an Underperform rating on the company. According to InvestingPro data, Weibo currently trades at $8.78, with a notably low P/E ratio of 7.05 and an impressive dividend yield of 9.5%. The company’s overall financial health score is rated as GREAT, suggesting potential undervaluation relative to its fundamentals. The revision follows Weibo’s report of a nearly flat year-over-year revenue at $397 million, slightly surpassing the consensus estimate of $394 million. The company’s advertising revenue experienced a similar lack of growth, showing a marginal 1% increase on an RMB basis, which was nevertheless above expectations.

Weibo’s Value-Added Services (VAS) revenue saw a 2% year-over-year growth, a significant slowdown and below anticipated figures. However, the company’s non-GAAP net profit impressed, reaching $120 million, a 12% increase from the previous year and notably higher than the consensus projection of $95 million. This increase was attributed to lower operating expenses and a rise in interest income. Notably, non-GAAP sales and marketing expenses were reported at $93 million, less than anticipated, benefiting from robust organic traffic during the spring festival.

Reflecting on Weibo’s financial outcomes, Zhuang has chosen to maintain the existing advertising revenue outlook but has slightly reduced the forecast for VAS revenue. Consequently, the fiscal year 2025 adjusted earnings per share estimate has been decreased by 4% to $1.70. The new price target is based on a price-to-earnings (P/E) valuation, now set at $8.50, adjusted from the previous $8.90. In the report, Zhuang reasserted the Underperform rating, citing advertising growth that lags behind that of peers as the primary reason for the cautious stance on the stock.

In other recent news, Weibo Corporation reported first-quarter 2025 results that exceeded analyst expectations, primarily due to strong advertising performance and advancements in artificial intelligence initiatives. The company posted adjusted earnings per share of $0.45, surpassing the consensus estimate of $0.40. Revenue was reported at $396.9 million, slightly above analyst projections of $394.24 million and remaining flat year-over-year. Advertising and marketing revenues, which constitute a significant portion of Weibo’s business, were $339.1 million, consistent with the previous year. Notably, advertising revenue from Alibaba (NYSE:BABA) increased by 89% to $42.6 million, compensating for weaknesses in other sectors. The company also highlighted progress in its AI offerings, with the Weibo Intelligent Search showing growth in both user base and daily search queries. Weibo reported 591 million monthly active users and 261 million average daily active users as of March 2025. The company’s operating margin improved to 28% from 25% the previous year, indicating enhanced efficiency. Weibo concluded the quarter with $2.08 billion in cash and short-term investments.

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