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On Friday, KeyBanc Capital Markets adjusted its outlook on Worthington Steel Inc (NYSE:WS) by lowering the price target from the previous $41.00 to $34.00, while maintaining an Overweight rating on the company’s shares. The stock currently trades at $26.62, near its 52-week low of $24.80, with InvestingPro data showing a year-to-date decline of 16.34%. The revision comes as a result of comprehensive due diligence conducted by KeyBanc in anticipation of Worthington Steel’s third-quarter fiscal year 2025 earnings release, scheduled for March 19, 2025.
The firm’s analyst cited challenges in the near-term automotive supply chain, product mix, and broader economic volatility as reasons for the adjustment. According to InvestingPro data, the company maintains a GOOD financial health score despite these headwinds, with sufficient cash flows to cover interest payments and a moderate debt level. The company’s gross profit margin stands at 13.12%, reflecting the current operational challenges. The expectation is that Worthington Steel’s earnings trough, which aligns with recent earnings outlooks from peers, will continue into the third quarter of fiscal year 2025, which ended in February. This projection delays any potential earnings uplift to the fourth quarter, ending in May 2025.
Despite the lowered price target, KeyBanc’s confidence in Worthington Steel remains, as evidenced by the continued Overweight rating. The stock currently trades at an attractive P/E ratio of 10.74x, suggesting potential value for investors. InvestingPro analysis indicates the stock is currently undervalued, with additional insights and 8 more ProTips available to subscribers. The analyst believes that the current performance trough experienced in the second and third quarters of fiscal year 2025 does not reflect the company’s normalized run-rate performance or its potential. The firm’s stance is bolstered by Worthington Steel’s mid- to long-term strategy for mix improvement and its valuation, both in absolute terms and relative to its peers.
KeyBanc also expressed optimism regarding Worthington Steel’s future, particularly with respect to the company’s growth initiatives in electrical steel. With a market capitalization of $1.35 billion and EBITDA of $261.4 million, the company shows solid fundamentals to support its growth initiatives. Discover more detailed analysis and growth potential metrics with a subscription to InvestingPro. The analyst suggested that with successful execution of these initiatives, Worthington Steel’s share price could exceed $40 in the long term. This perspective takes into account the company’s strategic focus and the anticipated positive impact on its financial performance.
In other recent news, Southland Holdings has converted $20 million of promissory notes into common stock, issuing 5,830,899 shares at $3.43 each to key management members, including President and CEO Frank Renda. This move aims to strengthen the company’s balance sheet and was completed in a private placement, highlighting internal financial strategies to bolster the company’s financial structure. The transaction reflects confidence in Southland’s long-term value and was based on a press release statement.
Meanwhile, Worthington Steel has expanded its board of directors by appointing Scott Kelly, who joins the Nominating and Governance Committee. Kelly’s extensive experience in operations management and the heavy-duty automotive manufacturing industry is expected to contribute significantly to the company’s growth and sustainability initiatives. Executive Chairman John Blystone expressed confidence in Kelly’s ability to guide Worthington Steel into a sustainable future. This board appointment aligns with the company’s strategic emphasis on leadership with diverse expertise, as noted in a press release statement from Worthington Steel.
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