Morgan Stanley raises Wayfair stock price target to $70 on improved outlook

Published 01/07/2025, 22:18
Morgan Stanley raises Wayfair stock price target to $70 on improved outlook

Investing.com - Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) raised its price target on Wayfair (NYSE:W) to $70.00 from $50.00 on Tuesday, while maintaining an Overweight rating on the online furniture retailer’s stock. The company, currently trading at $51.99 with a market capitalization of $6.67 billion, has shown strong momentum with a 15.4% return over the past six months.

The price target increase represents approximately 35% upside potential from Wayfair’s current share price. Morgan Stanley’s analysis indicates an asymmetric risk/reward profile skewed to the upside, with bull and bear scenarios suggesting roughly 92% upside and 42% downside, respectively. According to InvestingPro analysis, the stock appears overvalued at current levels, with additional insights available in the comprehensive Pro Research Report, which covers key metrics and expert analysis for informed investment decisions.

The new target price equates to approximately 0.85 times Morgan Stanley’s estimated 2026 sales of about $12.1 billion for Wayfair. This valuation represents a modest 15% discount compared to Wayfair’s long-term average EV/Sales multiple of 1.0x. The company currently generates $11.85 billion in revenue with a gross margin of 30.31%, though it faces some financial health challenges with a current ratio of 0.83.

Morgan Stanley cited the discount as necessary due to "limited visibility into the timing and quantum of an improvement in existing home sales/housing turnover." The 0.85x multiple marks an increase from the firm’s previous target multiple of 0.7x 2026 estimated EV/Sales.

The investment bank justified the higher multiple based on what it described as a "more benign trade policy, macroeconomic and category outlook" for the home furnishings retailer.

In other recent news, Wayfair has seen several developments concerning its financial outlook and strategic initiatives. Jefferies has raised its price target for Wayfair to $60, maintaining a Buy rating due to the company’s market share gains and a sales growth forecast exceeding consensus estimates. Piper Sandler also increased its price target to $61, citing improving demand in the home furnishings industry as a key factor. Meanwhile, TD Cowen initiated coverage with a Buy rating and a $51 price target, expressing optimism about Wayfair’s growth prospects based on favorable industry fundamentals.

Conversely, Loop Capital downgraded Wayfair from Hold to Sell, maintaining a $35 price target due to concerns over the uncertain tariff environment and potential inflation and supply issues. Mizuho (NYSE:MFG) reiterated its Outperform rating with a $50 price target, noting Wayfair’s new fulfillment initiative through its CastleGate logistics network. This initiative aims to provide services similar to those of Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) and Walmart (NYSE:WMT), although its impact on results may not be immediate. These recent developments reflect varied analyst perspectives on Wayfair’s future, with differing opinions on its stock performance and strategic direction.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers
© 2007-2025 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.