Gold prices steady as traders assess Fed rate outlook after soft US data
Investing.com - Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) initiated coverage on Descartes (NASDAQ:DSGX) with an Equalweight rating and a $110.00 price target on Monday. According to InvestingPro data, the stock currently trades at $101.07, with analysts’ targets ranging from $91.82 to $135.00.
The firm identifies Descartes as a market-leading provider of SaaS-based Logistics and Transportation solutions, highlighted by its Global Logistics Network, which connects carriers, shippers, intermediaries, and governments to manage goods transportation in real-time. The company maintains strong financial health with a robust 75.6% gross margin and minimal debt, as revealed by InvestingPro analysis.
Morgan Stanley projects that Descartes is well-positioned to gain market share in the fragmented Logistics & Transportation market, which is expected to grow at a 6% CAGR to $6.4 billion by 2028.
The research note points out that Descartes stock has traded at premium multiples over the past three years, averaging 26X EV/NTM EBITDA and 34X EV/NTM FCF, attributed to consistent 15% EBITDA growth, disciplined M&A strategy, and strong management execution.
Looking ahead, Descartes management continues to target annual EBITDA growth of 10-15%, according to Morgan Stanley’s analysis. With current EBITDA at $271.11 million and strong cash flows, the company appears well-positioned to maintain its growth trajectory.
In other recent news, Descartes Systems Group has announced the launch of Descartes MacroPoint FraudGuard 2.0, an upgraded tool designed to enhance freight fraud detection for shippers and logistics providers. This new technology offers expanded capabilities for monitoring shipments and detecting potential fraud, using historical and real-time data. Meanwhile, Descartes held its annual shareholder meeting, where all proposed items were approved, including the election of ten directors and the appointment of KPMG LLP as auditors. The meeting saw significant shareholder participation, representing over 90% of the company’s outstanding shares.
RBC Capital has adjusted its outlook for Descartes, lowering the stock price target from $130 to $126 due to a slowdown in global trade impacting the company’s first-quarter performance. Despite this, RBC Capital maintains an Outperform rating, noting that while revenue and organic growth were below expectations, adjusted EBITDA met consensus estimates. In response to trade challenges, Descartes implemented a 7% reduction in force and provided a second-quarter baseline below expectations. Additionally, Descartes filed a Form 6-K with the U.S. SEC, detailing corporate updates and compliance with regulatory requirements.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.