Needham cuts Benchmark stock target to $48, maintains Buy

Published 30/04/2025, 13:04
Needham cuts Benchmark stock target to $48, maintains Buy

On Wednesday, Needham, a respected research firm, adjusted its financial outlook for Benchmark Electronics (NYSE:BHE), reducing the price target to $48.00 from the previous $50.00, while still endorsing the stock with a Buy rating. Currently trading at $38.27, the stock sits well below Needham’s target, though InvestingPro analysis suggests the stock is slightly overvalued at current levels. The revision followed the company’s report of a tariff-related demand impact towards the end of the first quarter. Despite these challenges, Benchmark managed to deliver a solid earnings performance, maintaining its position as one of seven InvestingPro Tips highlighting the company’s strengths.

Benchmark’s first quarter revealed mixed results, with certain sectors showing robust growth while others lagged. The semi-cap and aerospace & defense (A&D) verticals demonstrated strong year-over-year growth, which is anticipated to continue as bright spots throughout 2025. Conversely, the Medical (TASE:BLWV), Industrial, and Advanced Computing & Communications segments continued to experience weakness. Benchmark’s Q1 revenues saw a 6.5% decline year-over-year, which was slightly worse than the consensus estimate of a 5% decrease.

The company’s earnings per share (EPS) for the first quarter were less impacted than expected. The non-GAAP (NG) EPS decreased by 5.5% year-over-year, coming in at the upper end of the forecasted range, and outperforming the consensus estimate that predicted a 9.8% decline. With a current P/E ratio of 22.25 and analysts forecasting EPS of $2.51 for fiscal year 2025, the company maintains solid profitability metrics despite margin pressures. Margins remained within the provided guidance, though the gross profit margin of 10.17% suggests room for improvement.

Looking ahead to the second quarter, Benchmark’s guidance was somewhat cautious, with projected revenues ranging from flat to an 8% year-over-year decrease. This forecast falls short of the consensus expectations, which anticipated flat growth. However, the midpoint of the EPS guidance was in line with what analysts had predicted.

Needham’s analyst highlighted the dual narrative of Benchmark’s performance, recognizing the company’s resilience in certain sectors despite broader macroeconomic uncertainties. The firm’s recommendation suggests that despite the price target adjustment, there is confidence in Benchmark’s potential for growth, especially in the semi-cap and A&D markets.

In other recent news, Benchmark Electronics Inc . reported its Q1 2025 earnings, surpassing analyst expectations with an earnings per share (EPS) of $0.52, compared to the forecasted $0.50. The company also reported revenue of $676 million, exceeding the projected $639.43 million. This performance indicates effective cost management and strategic positioning in key growth markets, such as semiconductor capital equipment and aerospace and defense sectors. Benchmark Electronics is optimistic about growth in the medical and telecommunications sectors in the latter half of the year. The company projects Q2 2025 revenue to be between $615 million and $665 million, anticipating a mid-single-digit year-over-year decline in the first half, with growth expected to resume in the second half. CEO Jeff Bank highlighted the company’s strategic focus on sophisticated data center solutions based on water cooling technologies, indicating potential future growth areas. Additionally, Benchmark Electronics continues to invest in high-performance computing and water cooling technologies to support future growth. The company remains cautious about tariff uncertainties and their impact on customer decision-making and supply chain dynamics.

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