Goldman Sachs cuts Webtoon stock target to $15, maintains Buy rating

Published 26/02/2025, 11:38
Goldman Sachs cuts Webtoon stock target to $15, maintains Buy rating

On Wednesday, Goldman Sachs revised its price target for Webtoon Entertainment Inc (NASDAQ: WBTN), reducing it from $25.00 to $15.00, while still endorsing the stock with a Buy rating. The adjustment comes as the stock trades near $10.03, having declined 56% over the past year and currently hovering near its 52-week low of $9.95. The revision follows Webtoon’s fourth-quarter earnings report, which highlighted several challenges and strategic focuses for the company. According to InvestingPro analysis, the stock appears undervalued at current levels.

According to Goldman Sachs, Webtoon’s management pointed out a number of issues affecting the business, including foreign exchange volatility and unique headwinds that have led to more unpredictable operating results. While the company reported negative EBITDA of $41.51M, InvestingPro data shows the company maintains a strong balance sheet with more cash than debt and a healthy current ratio of 2.49. Additionally, the company is experiencing pressure on its adjusted EBITDA guidance for the first quarter of 2025 due to investments in user engagement, product improvements, and content.

Despite the lower-than-expected guidance for Q1, Webtoon’s management remains confident about the company’s growth and margin outlook beyond the first quarter, though no full-year 2025 forecast was provided with the current results. The management team is also concentrating on growing the platform’s reach and enhancing user engagement through various partnerships.

The revised 12-month price target reflects the challenges and investments outlined by Webtoon’s management. Goldman Sachs’ analyst noted these factors as the rationale behind the reduced price target while maintaining a positive long-term perspective on the stock.

In other recent news, Webtoon Entertainment Inc. reported a strong revenue growth of 10.4% on a constant currency basis for the fourth quarter of 2024, reaching $352.8 million. Despite this increase, the company experienced a net loss, with earnings per share at -$0.03, falling short of market expectations. For the full year, Webtoon Entertainment’s revenue totaled $1.35 billion, marking a 5% increase, while the adjusted EBITDA surged by 600% to $67.9 million. The company’s strategic expansion in Japan played a significant role, as this market now represents nearly half of its total revenue. Analysts from firms like Evercore and Goldman Sachs engaged with the company’s executives to discuss growth prospects, particularly in Japan and user engagement strategies. The company is projecting Q1 2025 revenue between $318 million and $328 million, with an anticipated adjusted EBITDA ranging from $500,000 to $5.5 million. Webtoon Entertainment continues to face challenges, including a decline in total monthly active users and regulatory issues, such as a government ban on Wattpad in one country. Despite these hurdles, the company remains focused on long-term growth, with product improvements expected in the latter half of 2025.

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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