EU and US could reach trade deal this weekend - Reuters
On Thursday, Citi analyst Harald Hendrikse revised the price target for Mercedes-Benz (OTC:MBGAF) Group (MBG:GR) (OTC:DDAIF) to €52.00, down from €52.00, while retaining a Neutral stance on the stock. Hendrikse’s assessment followed the company’s earnings report, which matched expectations with an EBIT of €2.6 billion, consistent with Citi’s forecast. The automotive segment demonstrated a slightly higher Return on Sales (RoS) with fewer eliminations than anticipated.
Despite results aligning with forecasts, Mercedes-Benz has expressed caution regarding future guidance due to the uncertain global macroeconomic environment and tariff issues. The company has stated that the Return on Sales (RoS) and Free Cash Flow (FCF) for both Mercedes-Benz Cars and Mercedes-Benz Vans will likely be "lower than before." This adjustment reflects the company’s realistic approach to the current market conditions and outlook.
Hendrikse noted that while the guidance excluding tariffs remains unchanged, the updated RoS forecast for Mercedes-Benz Cars, including the impact of the latest 25% U.S. tariffs, stands at 5.3%, which is below the official target range of 6%-8%. Moreover, a slight decline is expected in FY26E as tariffs affect the full 12-month period. However, the analyst also acknowledged that these projections could shift with changing circumstances.
In the midst of these challenges, the underlying business of Mercedes-Benz is described as solid by Hendrikse. The company’s forthright acknowledgment of the situation and cautious stance on guidance suggests an effort to manage investor expectations amidst an unpredictable economic landscape.
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