Morgan Stanley cuts Bausch & Lomb stock target to $18 from $19

Published 24/02/2025, 15:28
Morgan Stanley cuts Bausch & Lomb stock target to $18 from $19

On Monday, Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) made an adjustment to Bausch & Lomb Corporation’s (NYSE:BLCO) price target, bringing it down to $18 from the previous $19, while maintaining an Equalweight rating on the stock. The revision followed the company’s fourth-quarter earnings report, which aligned with analysts’ projections.

The firm’s analyst cited the necessity to refine their financial model after reviewing the company’s performance in the last quarter. Although revenues are expected to increase in the coming years, with InvestingPro data showing impressive revenue growth of 15.56% in the last twelve months, there is an anticipation of higher operating expenses due to investments in new product launches, such as Miebo and ENVY. The company maintains a solid gross profit margin of 60.93%, though it currently operates with significant debt.

Morgan Stanley’s new price target is based on an 11.5 times multiple of the company’s projected 2025 EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization). This multiple is a common metric used to evaluate the value of a company based on its expected profitability.

The analyst’s comments suggest a positive outlook on Bausch & Lomb’s revenue growth prospects for 2025. However, the need for ongoing investments in the company’s product portfolio is expected to impact the operating costs, leading to the revised price target.

Bausch & Lomb, known for its eye health products, has been focusing on the development and launch of new products, which are critical components of the company’s growth strategy. The investments in these areas are essential for the company to maintain a competitive edge in the market and drive long-term growth.

In other recent news, Bausch & Lomb Corp. reported a notable 9% year-over-year increase in fourth-quarter revenue, reaching $1.28 billion, which exceeded analysts’ expectations of $1.26 billion. The company’s net loss for the quarter was $3 million, significantly better than the anticipated loss of $42 million, with an adjusted net income of $89 million, slightly below the $95 million estimate. For the full year of 2024, Bausch & Lomb achieved a total revenue of $4.791 billion, marking a 16% increase from the previous year, while setting a revenue guidance for 2025 between $4.95 billion and $5.05 billion. Despite the strong financial performance, analyst firms BofA Securities and JPMorgan both lowered their price targets for the company to $17, citing concerns about future guidance and competitive market pressures, while maintaining Underperform and Neutral ratings, respectively.

In contrast, H.C. Wainwright maintained a Buy rating but reduced its price target from $23 to $20, reflecting adjustments to the company’s 2025 projections. The analysts at BofA emphasized that the company’s growth was significantly driven by the product Miebo, yet expressed concerns over the 2025 EBITDA guidance. Moreover, Bausch & Lomb’s management anticipates foreign exchange headwinds to impact full-year revenue by approximately $100 million. The company continues to innovate in eye care products, with significant growth reported in its Vision Care, Surgical, and Pharmaceuticals segments, contributing to its overall market strength.

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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