U.S. stocks lower as investors rotate out of tech ahead of Jackson Hole
On Wednesday, Citi analyst Steven Zaccone increased the price target on Petco Health & Wellness Co. Inc. (NASDAQ: WOOF) to $4.00, up from the previous $3.00, while keeping a Neutral rating on the stock. Zaccone’s commentary highlighted the upcoming first-quarter earnings report for Petco, scheduled for June 5, 2025, and recognized the company as a "turnaround story" with its performance likely being driven by EBITDA, which currently stands at $215.57 million. The company maintains a FAIR financial health score according to InvestingPro analysis.
The new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Simmons, who made her first earnings call on March 26, 2025, has shown optimism regarding cost management across the profit and loss statement. Despite a mixed pet industry landscape, high-frequency data, including store traffic and credit card information, indicate improving trends in April, which may translate into a modest beat in first-quarter same-store sales for Petco.
Zaccone also anticipates that Petco’s EBITDA will outperform expectations. This is attributed to the successful vendor negotiation strategies implemented last year, which are expected to enhance gross margins. Additionally, the efforts of the new CFO are projected to ensure these gains positively impact the bottom line.
While acknowledging that Petco will eventually need to progress to the third phase of returning to revenue growth, Zaccone emphasizes that taking one step at a time is the current priority. With these considerations in mind, Citi has opened a 90-day positive short-term view on the stock. The revised price target of $4 is based on a 5x multiple of the forecasted FY26 EBITDA. For deeper insights into Petco’s valuation and growth potential, access the comprehensive Pro Research Report available exclusively on InvestingPro, along with 10+ additional ProTips and advanced financial metrics.
In other recent news, Petco Health and Wellness Company Inc (NASDAQ:WOOF). reported its fourth-quarter 2024 earnings, revealing a revenue of $1.55 billion, which met expectations, but a negative earnings per share (EPS) of -$0.05, missing the forecast of $0.00. Despite the earnings miss, the company saw a significant aftermarket stock rally. UBS analyst Michael Lasser adjusted Petco’s price target to $3.25 from $5.50 while maintaining a Neutral rating, indicating a focus on profitability improvement and adherence to retail fundamentals. Meanwhile, Citi analyst Steven Zaccone raised the price target to $3.00 from $2.75, also maintaining a Neutral rating, citing Petco’s cost-saving focus and solid fourth-quarter performance. CEO Joel Anderson recently purchased 1,586,088 shares of Petco’s Class A Common Stock, totaling approximately $4.7 million, signaling confidence in the company’s strategy. Petco plans to close 20-30 net locations in 2025 and is concentrating on expanding its fresh frozen pet food category. The company has outlined a three-phase plan to address opportunities for improvement, aiming for double-digit adjusted EBITDA growth by 2025.
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