Stephens cuts Rush Enterprises stock price target to $61 from $63

Published 02/05/2025, 13:10
Stephens cuts Rush Enterprises stock price target to $61 from $63

On Friday, Stephens analyst Justin T. Long adjusted the price target for Rush Enterprises Inc. (NASDAQ: RUSHA) shares to $61, down from the previous target of $63, while maintaining an Overweight rating. The revision follows Rush Enterprises’ first-quarter 2025 performance, which surpassed both Stephens’ and the consensus estimates due to stronger pricing, despite lower unit sales than anticipated. The company, currently valued at $4.1 billion, trades at a P/E ratio of 14.3x and appears slightly undervalued according to InvestingPro analysis.

Long noted that, while second-quarter demand appears stable, a conservative outlook on unit sales for the latter half of the year is prudent due to macroeconomic uncertainties. The company saw a slowdown in aftermarket sales during the first quarter, resulting in an absorption rate of approximately 128%. Despite recent market challenges, InvestingPro data shows Rush Enterprises maintains strong financial health with annual revenue of $7.8 billion and diluted earnings per share of $3.72. Expectations for the second quarter are more optimistic as sales trends picked up towards the end of the first quarter and have continued similarly into April. Historically, May and June sales improve from April’s figures.

The analyst also mentioned a reduction in the 2026 unit sales forecast, aligning it more closely with industry predictions and eliminating the potential impact of a pre-buy scenario ahead of the 2027 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emissions standards changes. Public carriers are exercising more restraint with their capital expenditures in light of the current economic climate. Despite these challenges, Long anticipates that Rush Enterprises will perform better than the broader truck sales market, especially with an increase in vocational mix. For deeper insights into Rush Enterprises’ financial health and growth prospects, investors can access comprehensive analysis and additional ProTips through InvestingPro.

In conclusion, Stephens reaffirms their Overweight stance on Rush Enterprises stock, albeit with a slightly reduced price target, reflecting a cautious but still positive outlook on the company’s performance amidst industry and environmental regulatory changes. Notably, InvestingPro highlights that Rush Enterprises has consistently raised its dividend for seven consecutive years, demonstrating strong financial management and commitment to shareholder returns.

In other recent news, Rush Enterprises reported its Q1 2025 financial results, revealing a mixed performance. The company achieved a revenue of $1.85 billion, which exceeded the forecast of $1.83 billion, but its earnings per share (EPS) fell slightly short at $0.73 compared to the expected $0.735. Rush Enterprises continues to maintain a strong position in truck sales, particularly in the Class Eight segment, capturing a 6.1% market share in the U.S. Despite a challenging market, the company anticipates a slight improvement in Class Eight truck sales and sequential growth in parts and service revenues in the upcoming quarter. In addition, Rush Enterprises declared a cash dividend of $0.18 per common share for the quarter. Analysts from Stephens and Bank of America engaged with the company, highlighting the ongoing challenges such as market uncertainties and potential tariff impacts. These analysts also noted the company’s strategies to navigate these uncertainties, including expanding the aftermarket sales force and optimizing operations.

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

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