CFRA maintains Akzo Nobel stock sell rating, EUR52 target

Published 30/01/2025, 13:44
CFRA maintains Akzo Nobel stock sell rating, EUR52 target

On Thursday, CFRA analyst Adrian Ng reiterated a Sell rating on Akzo Nobel NV (AKZA:NA) (OTC: OTC:AKZOY), with a price target of EUR52.00. The firm’s position reflects a cautious outlook for the company, citing a fair valuation based on anticipated performance in a weak construction market. Currently trading at $19.75 with a market capitalization of $10 billion, the stock maintains a P/E ratio of 17.2x. The target price suggests a 2025 price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 11.6 times, which is considered a discount compared to historical averages. According to InvestingPro, three analysts have recently revised their earnings estimates downward for the upcoming period.

Akzo Nobel (AS:AKZO)’s fourth-quarter 2024 revenue saw a modest 1% increase year-over-year at a constant exchange rate (CER), with volumes remaining flat and a slight improvement in pricing and mix. The company’s trailing twelve-month revenue stands at $11.8 billion, with InvestingPro data showing a slight decline of 1.2% from the previous period. This performance aligned with CFRA’s expectations for the company’s revenue to remain flat throughout 2024. The firm projects a continuation of this trend with flattish single-digit revenue growth in 2025, amidst a backdrop of global economic uncertainty.

The adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) for Akzo Nobel in the fourth quarter of 2024 rose by 3%, maintaining a consistent EBITDA margin of 12.3%. Despite this increase, the full-year adjusted EBITDA reached EUR1,478 million, falling short of the anticipated EUR1.5 billion. Looking ahead, Akzo Nobel has set a guidance for an EBITDA of EUR1.55 billion in 2025, a target CFRA views as ambitious for the group to achieve.

CFRA’s earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Akzo Nobel stand at EUR4.50 for the year 2025 and EUR5.00 for 2026. These projections are part of the firm’s comprehensive analysis of the company’s financial outlook and market position.

Overall, CFRA’s assessment of Akzo Nobel’s stock remains unchanged, with a Sell rating and a price target of EUR52.00, as the company navigates through the challenges posed by the current state of the construction market and broader economic conditions. The stock is currently trading near its 52-week low, though InvestingPro analysis suggests the company may be slightly undervalued at current levels. InvestingPro subscribers have access to over 30 additional financial metrics and insights to better evaluate Akzo Nobel’s investment potential.

In other recent news, Akzo Nobel NV has seen significant attention from investment firms. JPMorgan maintained its Overweight rating on Akzo Nobel with a EUR70.00 price target, highlighting the company’s solid fundamentals, including a gross profit margin of 40.8% and annual revenues of $11.8 billion. Despite some underperformance in the fourth quarter, Akzo Nobel’s guidance for fiscal year 2025 aligns with JPMorgan’s and consensus estimates, suggesting an adjusted EBITDA of over EUR1.55 billion. This is supported by nearly EUR70 million in net cost savings.

Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) also reaffirmed its Overweight rating on Akzo Nobel, focusing on the potential value creation from the sale of the company’s decorative paint business in India. Furthermore, JPMorgan upgraded Akzo Nobel from Neutral to Overweight, basing its optimism on expected annual EBIT growth of 9% in 2025 and 2026, supported by cost savings and improved demand trends.

Redburn-Atlantic initiated coverage on Akzo Nobel with a Buy rating and a price target of €80.00, outlining possible future scenarios including streamlining the supply chain and becoming an acquisition target. These recent developments suggest a positive outlook for Akzo Nobel from both JPMorgan and Redburn-Atlantic.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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