Stephens starts JBS stock with Overweight, $22 target

Published 28/05/2025, 07:32
Stephens starts JBS stock with Overweight, $22 target

On Wednesday, Stephens initiated coverage on JBS SA (OTC:JBSAY) shares with an Overweight rating and set a price target of $22.00. The research firm cited the company’s broad international presence, diverse protein offerings, and prudent financial management as key factors in its positive assessment. With a market capitalization of $15.49 billion and an attractive P/E ratio of 8x, InvestingPro data shows JBS trading at compelling valuations. Stephens highlighted JBS’s ability to maintain a steady and diverse earnings stream, which is expected to benefit from operational enhancements and margin improvements in its Seara and U.S. Pork divisions.

Despite challenges posed by U.S. beef market dynamics, Stephens remains optimistic about JBS’s future performance. Supporting this view, InvestingPro data reveals impressive revenue growth of 20.65% over the last twelve months, with a robust dividend yield of 11.97%. The firm noted that historical mergers and acquisitions have led to a vertically integrated and geographically diverse business model for JBS, which helps to cushion the impact of regional and market-specific volatility.

Stephens also pointed to a potential U.S. stock market listing as a significant opportunity for JBS to achieve multiple expansions. The firm believes that JBS’s profile is strongly comparable to U.S. counterparts such as Tyson Foods (NYSE:TSN) and that a listing stateside could enhance the company’s valuation.

The research firm acknowledged that governance issues and broader market perceptions might warrant a modest valuation discount. However, Stephens anticipates considerable growth potential for JBS, supported by the company’s ongoing efforts to generate more free cash flow, decrease debt, and provide more consistent earnings across different economic cycles.

In other recent news, JBS B.V. and JBS S.A. have both filed Form 6-K with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for May 2025, ensuring compliance with U.S. financial regulations. JBS B.V.’s filing included significant corporate updates, such as resolutions from an Extraordinary General Meeting, highlighting the company’s commitment to transparency and adherence to international governance standards. Meanwhile, JBS S.A.’s submission is part of its routine disclosure practices, although it did not detail specific changes or events within the company. In another development, BMO Capital Markets has raised its price target for JBS S.A. to R$52, following the company’s strong fourth-quarter earnings report. JBS S.A. reported an EBITDA of R$10.8 billion, exceeding both BMO’s and consensus estimates. BMO maintained its Outperform rating on JBS S.A., citing the company’s robust internal projects and strategic positioning. The firm also noted potential benefits from JBS’s planned U.S. listing, which could occur as early as the third quarter of 2025. These developments reflect JBS’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its market position and financial performance.

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.