DA Davidson cuts Columbus McKinnon stock rating to neutral

Published 18/02/2025, 12:58
DA Davidson cuts Columbus McKinnon stock rating to neutral

On Tuesday, DA Davidson analyst Matt Summerville downgraded Columbus McKinnon stock, traded on (NASDAQ:CMCO), from a Buy to a Neutral rating, simultaneously adjusting the price target to $25 from the previous $35. The revision reflects a cautious stance due to a combination of factors impacting the company's financial outlook. The stock, currently trading at $20.48, has fallen significantly over the past year according to InvestingPro data, which shows the company trading near its 52-week low.

Summerville cited several reasons for the downgrade, including a decrease in short-cycle activity and delays in other projects. These challenges are exacerbated by what the analyst described as "near-term mix headwinds." The company's execution and demand fundamentals have also been affected by broader macroeconomic and geopolitical issues, reflected in a 2% year-over-year revenue decline. Despite these challenges, InvestingPro analysis suggests the stock is currently undervalued, with 13 additional exclusive insights available to subscribers.

Another concern raised by Summerville is Columbus McKinnon's pending post-financing (PF) net leverage, which is anticipated to be 4.8 times. The complexity of the deal and the ownership structure associated with the Kito Crosby acquisition were also factors that influenced the analyst's decision to maintain the Neutral rating. However, the company maintains strong liquidity with a current ratio of 2.03, indicating sufficient assets to cover short-term obligations.

The downgrade follows additional analysis by DA Davidson after Columbus McKinnon reported its third-quarter fiscal year 2025 results and announced the Kito Crosby acquisition. Summerville pointed out that the reduced price target from $35 to $25 considers the recent volatility in the company's share price and the post-financing ownership structure.

Investors looking for further details on the rationale behind the previous week's downgrade after Columbus McKinnon's F3Q25 earnings report and the Kito Crosby announcement can refer to the link provided by the analyst for more information.

In other recent news, Columbus McKinnon Corp. has announced a definitive agreement to acquire Kito Crosby Ltd., a deal valued at $2.7 billion. This development is expected to significantly expand Columbus McKinnon's operations. However, S&P Global Ratings has placed all ratings of Columbus McKinnon, including the 'B+' issuer credit rating, on CreditWatch with negative implications, due to the anticipated increase in the company's leverage from the acquisition.

Meanwhile, Moody's (NYSE:MCO) Ratings has placed the ratings of Kito Crosby under review for an upgrade, as the company will become part of the higher rated Columbus McKinnon. On the other hand, Columbus McKinnon's own ratings are under review for potential downgrade by Moody's due to the high financial leverage at transaction close and integration risk associated with this acquisition.

DA Davidson analyst Matt Summerville has downgraded Columbus McKinnon from Buy to Neutral, citing concerns over the increased leverage and deal complexity. Despite these concerns, the acquisition is expected to strengthen Columbus McKinnon's competitive position in the global lifting and hoists equipment markets and improve its margins. These are recent developments that investors should keep an eye on.

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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