Bank CEOs meet with Trump to discuss Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac - Bloomberg
On Thursday, Evercore ISI analyst Jonathan Chappell increased the price target for Capital Clean Energy Carriers Corp. (NASDAQ:CCEC) to $27.00, up from the previous $25.00, while reiterating an Outperform rating on the company’s shares. The revision follows CCEC’s impressive first-quarter earnings, which surpassed analyst expectations. According to InvestingPro data, CCEC has demonstrated strong momentum with a 28% return over the past year, while maintaining an impressive gross profit margin of 79.6%.
CCEC reported a first-quarter EBITDA of $86.1 million, outperforming Evercore ISI’s forecast of $83.0 million and the consensus estimate of $81.8 million. This was attributed to lower-than-anticipated operating expenses and general & administrative costs. Additionally, the company’s earnings per share (EPS) of $0.56 significantly exceeded the forecasted $0.39 and the Street’s estimate of $0.37, largely due to much lower interest expenses than anticipated.
The company also announced it had secured long-term contracts for two of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) newbuildings, set for delivery in 2027. One contract spans five years and the other seven years, both including five-year extension options. These agreements ensure a steady, long-term cash flow and mitigate market risk for one-third of the LNG carriers scheduled for delivery. This strategic move aligns with CCEC’s track record of maintaining dividend payments for 19 consecutive years, as highlighted by InvestingPro, which offers comprehensive analysis of over 1,400 US stocks through its Pro Research Reports.
Furthermore, CCEC has managed to postpone the delivery dates for two additional LNG newbuilds, better aligning their arrival with the anticipated market equilibrium. These strategic moves underscore the company’s sustained growth trajectory and provide more certainty regarding cash flows than at any previous point since beginning its extensive fleet expansion plan.
The analyst noted that CCEC’s lower operating costs should also contribute to near-term cash flow benefits, offering additional flexibility to a capital expenditure schedule expected to be fully covered by the time the new vessels are operational. The maintained Outperform rating and increased price target reflect confidence in CCEC’s financial strategy and growth prospects.
In other recent news, Capital Clean Energy Carriers Corp. (CCEC) has secured long-term charters for two of its new LNG carrier buildings, with delivery expected in 2027. These agreements come with a daily rate of approximately $90,000, significantly contributing to the company’s revenue backlog, which has increased from $2.5 billion to $3.1 billion. CCEC also announced a $0.15 per share dividend, maintaining its fixed dividend policy as it transitions to a variable payout structure. Jefferies analyst Omar Nakta responded to these developments by raising the price target for CCEC to $20, up from $18, while maintaining a Hold rating. The analyst emphasized the importance of the new charter agreements and consistent dividend payouts in light of the expanding revenue backlog. These recent developments highlight CCEC’s strategic growth initiatives, which are being closely monitored by investors. The updated price target from Jefferies reflects recognition of the company’s achievements, although the Hold rating suggests a cautious approach.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.