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On Tuesday, RBC Capital Markets adjusted its price target on DuPont shares (NYSE:DD), decreasing it to $101 from $104, while maintaining an Outperform rating on the stock. RBC Capital’s analyst cited a modest reduction in the EBITDA forecasts for 2024 and 2025 due to foreign exchange (FX) concerns and a conservative stance on interest rate cuts. This adjustment aligns with broader analyst sentiment, as InvestingPro data shows five analysts have recently revised their earnings estimates downward, with current price targets ranging from $44 to $116. Despite the revision, the firm remains positive about DuPont’s future, particularly highlighting the accelerated timeline for the company’s Electronics spinoff, now set for November 1, 2025.
DuPont is expected to face near-term FX headwinds, but RBC Capital foresees a favorable outcome for the company in the fiscal year 2025. The fourth quarter projections for DuPont anticipate a mid-single-digit percentage increase in sales, driven by volume growth, particularly in water and medical packaging sectors. According to InvestingPro analysis, which offers comprehensive insights through its Pro Research Reports covering 1,400+ US stocks, DuPont maintains strong financial health with a current ratio of 2.28, indicating robust liquidity. However, these gains are likely to be balanced out by seasonal declines in the electronics and construction segments, along with the aforementioned FX headwinds.
Looking ahead to fiscal year 2025, RBC Capital expects high-single-digit percentage growth in Electronics & Imaging (E&I) due to robust sales growth in AI applications, and low-single-digit percentage growth in Water & Protection (W&P) owing to continued end-market stabilization. The analyst also expressed enthusiasm for DuPont’s recent history of strong share repurchases and the resolution of most of its per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) liabilities.
The adjusted EBITDA estimates set by RBC Capital are now at $788 million for the fourth quarter, and $3.12 billion and $3.35 billion for fiscal years 2024 and 2025, respectively. These figures have been slightly lowered from the previous estimates of $798 million, $3.14 billion, and $3.43 billion. For context, DuPont’s last twelve months EBITDA stands at $2.978 billion, with the company currently trading at an EV/EBITDA multiple of 12.5x. The price target has been revised in line with these updated EBITDA projections, maintaining a 14.0 times fiscal year 2025 estimated EBITDA multiple.
In other recent news, DuPont demonstrated a strong financial performance with Q3 2024 consolidated net sales reaching $3.2 billion, marking a 3% organic sales growth year-over-year. The company’s operating EBITDA increased by 11% to $857 million, while adjusted earnings per share surged by 28% to $1.18. DuPont also expedited the timeline for separating its electronics and water businesses, with board member announcements expected by Q1 2025.
Furthermore, analysts from Wolfe Research upgraded DuPont’s stock to Outperform, citing optimism about the company’s future growth trajectory for its Electronics & Imaging (E&I) and Water & Protection (W&P) segments. BMO Capital Markets, despite lowering the price target from $107.00 to $105.00, continues to endorse DuPont shares with an Outperform rating. Additionally, Citi increased its price target for DuPont to $98 from $96, maintaining a Buy rating on the stock.
These recent developments suggest that DuPont’s robust financial performance and strategic progress have been recognized by various analyst firms. However, it’s important to note that these are just insights and should not be taken as investment advice.
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