Craig-Hallum lifts Hackett Group target to $35, keeps Buy rating

Published 19/02/2025, 15:44
Craig-Hallum lifts Hackett Group target to $35, keeps Buy rating

On Wednesday, Craig-Hallum analyst George Sutton increased the price target for The Hackett Group (NASDAQ:HCKT) shares to $35.00 from $32.00, while maintaining a Buy rating on the stock. The company’s stock is currently trading at $33.77, near its 52-week high of $32.83, with a remarkable 37.7% return over the past year. Sutton’s optimism is based on the anticipated benefits from the integration of ZBrain and AI XPLR, joint ventures which are expected to contribute to the company’s performance later this year and into the next. According to InvestingPro, the company maintains a "GREAT" financial health score of 3.05, suggesting strong fundamentals supporting this positive outlook.

The Hackett Group, which is currently navigating the integration process of these ventures, is poised for an uplift in financial performance in the latter half of the year, despite expectations of subdued interim results. With a solid revenue growth of 7.75% and an impressive gross profit margin of 41.44%, the company has demonstrated its ability to maintain profitability. The Oracle (NYSE:ORCL) segment has shown lackluster growth, and the SAP segment is normalizing after a particularly strong sales quarter, which may have included some advanced purchases.

Sutton highlighted the potential for the company’s historical business to stabilize and for its Strategy and Business Transformation (S&BT) segment to grow rapidly through multi-year GenAI implementation and license deals. These deals are anticipated to significantly boost the company’s margins and overall profitability.

The Hackett Group’s financial position is also a point of strength, with a net positive cash balance of $16 million against $13 million in debt, robust cash flow generation, and an additional approximately $28 million authorized for stock buybacks. InvestingPro analysis reveals that the company has maintained dividend payments for 13 consecutive years, with a current dividend yield of 1.39%. This capital structure supports the company’s ability to invest in growth, pursue mergers and acquisitions strategically, and enhance shareholder value. For deeper insights into The Hackett Group’s financial metrics and growth potential, investors can access the comprehensive Pro Research Report available on InvestingPro, covering over 1,400 US equities.

In conclusion, the combination of potential for higher growth and expanding margins, especially as the GenAI business grows, has led Craig-Hallum to raise their price target for The Hackett Group.

In other recent news, The Hackett Group reported its fourth-quarter 2024 earnings, showcasing a strong financial performance. The company posted earnings per share of $0.47, surpassing the analyst forecast of $0.39. Revenue for the quarter reached $79.2 million, exceeding expectations by $5.35 million. Despite these positive results, the company’s stock experienced a 1.01% decline in aftermarket trading. The Hackett Group has provided guidance for the first quarter of 2025, with expected revenue between $75 million and $76.5 million and adjusted EPS projected at $0.39 to $0.41. The firm has been focusing on investments in AI and GenAI solutions, which are anticipated to drive future growth. Analyst firms have noted the company’s strategic focus on AI, with some expressing optimism about its potential to enhance operational efficiency. Additionally, The Hackett Group has made strategic acquisitions, such as Leeway Hertz, to expand its AI capabilities.

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