How are energy investors positioned?
On Thursday, Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) analysts upgraded Loar Holdings Inc (NYSE: LOAR) stock rating from Equal-weight to Overweight, maintaining a price target of $91.00. The upgrade reflects the firm’s confidence in Loar’s performance and future prospects, particularly noting that the stock’s recent underperformance presents a favorable opportunity for investors. The stock has already shown strong momentum, posting a 13.45% return over the past week.
Since its initial public offering on April 25, 2024, Loar has consistently surpassed consensus expectations in its quarterly earnings. The company has demonstrated effective execution of its growth strategies, both organically and through acquisitions. With impressive revenue growth of 26.88% and a robust gross profit margin of 50.08%, Loar has shown strong operational execution. In 2024, Loar reported approximately a 15% increase in organic sales and an 80 basis points expansion in EBITDA margin.According to InvestingPro, the company maintains healthy liquidity with a current ratio of 5.28, indicating strong financial stability. Subscribers can access 12 additional exclusive ProTips and comprehensive financial metrics for deeper analysis.
Morgan Stanley highlighted Loar’s strong management and strategic initiatives that have contributed to its growth. These include the development of new products, the establishment of deep customer relationships, the exploration of cross-selling opportunities, and the use of its proprietary portfolio to improve margins. Through these efforts, Loar has solidified its position in the market.
The analyst’s commentary emphasized the company’s ability to grow ahead of the market and the expectation for Loar to continue trading at a premium compared to industry peers such as TDG and Heico. The firm’s decision to upgrade the stock to Overweight is based on Loar’s robust execution following its IPO and the attractive risk-reward ratio, with a bull-bear skew of approximately 2.5 times.
Morgan Stanley reiterated its $91.00 price target, underscoring their belief in Loar’s potential for sustained growth and margin expansion. The upgrade and price target suggest that Morgan Stanley sees a strong investment case for Loar Holdings Inc moving forward.
In other recent news, Loar Holdings Inc. reported strong financial results for the fourth quarter of 2024, with a 15% year-over-year increase in sales and a notable rise in net income. The company achieved record sales driven by growth in both the commercial aftermarket and defense sectors. Loar Holdings has projected net sales between $480 million and $488 million for 2025, reflecting continued strong demand. RBC Capital Markets maintained an Outperform rating on Loar Holdings, with a price target of $92, highlighting the company’s robust quarterly performance and increased 2025 financial guidance.
Additionally, Jefferies adjusted its price target for Loar Holdings to $95 from $105, maintaining a Buy rating, and noted a 2% increase in the forecast for 2025. Jefferies also raised the estimated earnings per share for 2025 to $0.72, anticipating 12% organic growth. Citi analysts also lowered their price target for Loar Holdings to $91 from $94 while maintaining a Buy rating, citing the company’s effective expansion strategy and strong aftermarket demand. Despite the adjustments in price targets, analysts from Jefferies, RBC Capital, and Citi continue to express confidence in Loar Holdings’ growth prospects and strategic direction.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.