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On Tuesday, Raymond (NSE:RYMD) James reiterated its Underperform rating on shares of Moody’s Corp (NYSE:MCO). The firm’s analyst, Patrick O’Shaughnessy, expressed concerns about the company’s growth prospects in light of recent credit market conditions and challenging comparisons from the previous year. This cautious outlook aligns with broader market sentiment, as InvestingPro data shows eight analysts have recently revised their earnings expectations downward, with revenue growth forecast at 7% for FY2025. O’Shaughnessy’s comments reflect a cautious stance on Moody’s ability to increase its ratings revenue throughout 2025.
The analyst pointed out that the deteriorating credit market conditions and difficult year-over-year comparisons could pose significant hurdles for Moody’s. As a result, Raymond James holds a revenue and earnings per share (EPS) forecast for Moody’s that is substantially below the consensus for the current year. These projections come ahead of the company’s first-quarter results, scheduled for April 22, 2025. Despite these challenges, InvestingPro’s analysis indicates the company maintains a GOOD overall Financial Health Score, suggesting resilience in its fundamental operations.
Furthermore, O’Shaughnessy noted that Moody’s price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple has reverted to 30 times Raymond James’ below-consensus estimate for 2026. Currently trading at a P/E ratio of 38.62x, the stock appears overvalued according to InvestingPro’s Fair Value analysis. This valuation aligns with the company’s near-term multiples over the past three and five years. The analyst suggests that there is limited potential for further downside from multiple compression, indicating a belief that the stock’s valuation may have reached a floor relative to the firm’s earnings expectations.
Moody’s Corp, known for its credit ratings, research, and risk analysis services, faces a challenging environment as market conditions fluctuate and impact the demand for its services. The company’s performance in the near term, particularly its ability to navigate the current credit market landscape, will be closely monitored by investors and industry observers alike.
Investors will be looking towards the upcoming release of Moody’s first-quarter results for 2025 to gauge the company’s financial health and its ability to adapt to the changing market dynamics as outlined by Raymond James’ analysis.
In other recent news, Moody’s Corporation shareholders participated in an annual meeting where nine directors were elected, and KPMG LLP was approved as the independent auditor for 2025. The election results showed strong shareholder support, particularly for Robert Fauber, who received the highest number of affirmative votes. Additionally, a non-binding advisory resolution on executive compensation was approved, while a proposal on executive severance arrangements was not. In analyst updates, BofA Securities reinstated coverage on Moody’s with a Buy rating and a $530 price target, citing the company’s competitive advantages and growth potential in Moody’s Analytics. BMO Capital Markets maintained a Market Perform rating with a $531 target, highlighting solid secular drivers and growth strategies discussed by Moody’s Investor Services. Meanwhile, Mizuho (NYSE:MFG) initiated coverage with a Neutral rating and a $504 target, emphasizing Moody’s strong competitive position and potential for profitability through technology investments. Lastly, Moody’s announced an executive transition with Jason Phillips succeeding Caroline Sullivan as Chief Accounting Officer and Controller, ensuring continuity in financial leadership.
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