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On Tuesday, Mizuho (NYSE:MFG) Securities maintained its Outperform rating on Robinhood Markets (NASDAQ:HOOD) with a steady price target of $80.00. The stock has shown remarkable momentum, gaining over 15% in the past week and delivering an impressive 130% return over the last year, according to InvestingPro data. The endorsement came in response to Robinhood’s introduction of a new prediction markets feature within its app, allowing users to speculate on the outcomes of various events, including Federal Funds rates and college basketball tournaments.
The financial services company’s latest move is designed to capitalize on the growing trend of mobile sports betting, as indicated by Mizuho’s prior research. According to a proprietary user survey, approximately two-thirds of Robinhood’s users already engage with mobile sports betting platforms such as DraftKings (NASDAQ:DKNG) and FanDuel. Furthermore, the survey revealed a strong interest among Robinhood users in using the platform for sports betting activities, with about 78% expressing their intent to do so. This expansion comes as Robinhood demonstrates strong financial health, with a 58% year-over-year revenue growth and $1.56 in earnings per share.
The analyst at Mizuho highlighted the alignment between Robinhood’s user base and the sports betting market, suggesting that the app’s expansion into prediction markets could significantly benefit the company. The analyst’s reiteration of the Outperform rating reflects confidence in Robinhood’s strategic direction and its potential to attract and retain users within its ecosystem.
Robinhood’s decision to integrate prediction markets within its app is seen as a strategic move to diversify its offerings and enhance user engagement. By tapping into the existing interest of its user base in sports betting, Robinhood aims to create a more comprehensive and appealing platform for its customers.
The price target set by Mizuho suggests a positive outlook for Robinhood’s stock, with the firm’s analysis indicating a strong growth trajectory based on the new features and potential user adoption. Trading at 25 times earnings and 4.7 times book value, the stock currently appears overvalued according to InvestingPro Fair Value metrics. Investors seeking deeper insights can access comprehensive analysis and 8 additional ProTips through the detailed Pro Research Report, available exclusively to InvestingPro subscribers. Robinhood’s stock performance will continue to be monitored closely as the company rolls out its prediction markets hub and further develops its platform.
In other recent news, Robinhood Markets has unveiled a new prediction markets hub within its app, allowing customers to trade on the outcomes of major events such as federal funds rate targets and college basketball tournaments. This initiative represents a significant expansion for Robinhood, traditionally known for its stock and cryptocurrency trading platforms. Analysts from Barclays (LON:BARC) have noted the innovative nature of this offering, though they acknowledge potential regulatory challenges in sports prediction markets. Additionally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods maintained their Market Perform rating on Robinhood, citing growth in margin balances and an EPS estimate of $0.40 for the first quarter, which is higher than the consensus estimate of $0.37.
Robinhood’s February operating data revealed a mixed financial landscape, with an increase in funded customers to 25.6 million but a decline in assets under custody by 8% month-over-month. However, year-over-year, assets under custody showed a 58% increase. Trading volumes were varied, with a slight decrease in equity and options trading volumes month-over-month but notable year-over-year increases. Crypto trading volumes decreased by 29% from January but more than doubled compared to the previous year. Margin balances grew by 5% from January, indicating a positive trend for revenue, while securities lending revenue decreased by 12% month-over-month. The prediction markets hub and the associated contracts will be accessible across the United States through a partnership with KalshiEX LLC.
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