Figma Shares Indicated To Open $105/$110
On Friday, Citi analyst George Kurosawa revised the price target on Manhattan Associates, Inc. (NASDAQ: NASDAQ:MANH) downward from $244.00 to $184.00, while keeping a Neutral rating on the shares. The stock, currently trading at $163.50, has declined 38% over the past six months and is hovering near its 52-week low of $163.10. The adjustment follows Manhattan Associates’ fourth-quarter results, which did not meet expectations, and the unexpected news of a CEO change. According to InvestingPro, eight analysts have recently revised their earnings estimates downward for the upcoming period.
Kurosawa’s analysis suggests that the company could face further challenges, particularly in its professional services sector. The analyst drew parallels to the period between 2016 and 2018, indicating that similar conditions could lead to additional deterioration in services. Despite a more attractive valuation at 28 times the calendar year 2026 enterprise value to free cash flow (EV/FCF) compared to over 50 times prior to the earnings release, Kurosawa notes that the stock’s premium is still high based on their regression analysis. This aligns with InvestingPro data showing the company trading at a P/E ratio of 46.2x and an EV/EBITDA multiple of 36.5x, suggesting relatively high valuations despite recent price declines.
The reassessment of Manhattan Associates’ risk/reward framework by Citi includes key debates about whether the headwinds in professional services are contained, if the 2025 outlook is without significant risks, and what the implications of the CEO transition might be. The firm’s decision to maintain a Neutral stance on the stock is influenced by these uncertainties.
Kurosawa mentioned that the new price target is set at 32 times the calendar year 2026 EV/FCF, which takes into account the near-term execution risks and the adjusted valuation environment. Citi would consider a more positive stance on Manhattan Associates if there were clearer signs of macroeconomic improvement and confidence in the company’s leadership stability beyond the CEO position.
In other recent news, Manhattan Associates has been the focus of several significant developments. Truist Securities has maintained its Buy rating for the company with a price target of $285, emphasizing the firm’s strong cloud innovation cycle and its impact on Software (ETR:SOWGn) as a Service (SaaS) revenue growth. William Blair upgraded the company’s stock rating from Market Perform to Outperform, following a call introducing new CEO Eric Clark, who will succeed Eddie Capel as of February 2025. The firm noted the company’s transition to subscription-based services as a positive sign for its financial profile.
Manhattan Associates announced the retirement of President and CEO Eddie Capel, who will transition to Executive Vice-Chairman of the Board. This leadership change has been in planning for over two years, with Eric Clark’s appointment following an extensive search. Raymond (NSE:RYMD) James has maintained an Outperform rating for the company, setting a price target of $270, and expressed confidence in the company’s strategic direction under new leadership. The leadership transition, while causing some investor concern, is seen as a well-prepared move that aims to continue the company’s growth trajectory. Analysts from Raymond James and Truist Securities have both highlighted the company’s solid foundation and potential for sustained success under Clark’s leadership.
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