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Wednesday, shares of Planet Fitness (NYSE:PLNT), currently trading at $90.09, continue to hold a Buy rating from TD Cowen, with a steady price target of $125.00, as analyst Max Rakhlenko reaffirmed the company’s potential despite recent market confusions. The stock has experienced significant volatility, dropping nearly 10% in the past week. According to InvestingPro data, analyst targets range from $85 to $150, with the current consensus indicating potential upside. Rakhlenko highlighted that while the guidance provided by the fitness chain might have sparked concerns, it includes the implementation of a new ’Click To Cancel’ feature starting in the second quarter, which he believes carries limited downside risk.
Rakhlenko addressed the mixed reactions to the company’s guidance, acknowledging that it had created some confusion and given rise to a bearish narrative among investors. While four analysts have recently revised their earnings estimates downward, he remains confident in the company’s prospects, suggesting that the full-year forecast still has potential for upside, particularly in the latter half of the year. InvestingPro analysis shows impressive gross profit margins of 58.73% and strong revenue growth of 18% over the last twelve months.
The fitness center operator’s guidance for the fiscal year 2025 anticipates comparable store sales growth of 5-6%, taking into account the rollout of the ’Click To Cancel’ feature. Management expects full implementation of this feature in April and has adopted a conservative stance regarding its impact. Rakhlenko notes that the actual implementation will be spread over several quarters, which should mitigate its effect on the second quarter’s performance.
Management also commented on membership churn, which is anticipated to increase for a period of 8-12 weeks following the new feature’s introduction. This increase is reportedly less severe than initially feared, and management does not foresee a significant negative impact on comparable store sales.
Rakhlenko also pointed out the company’s robust new opening guide, projecting 160-170 new locations, and suggested that there is potential for margin improvement. Despite the recent guidance stirring debate among bulls and bears in the market, the analyst’s reiteration of a Buy rating indicates a belief in Planet Fitness’s enduring value proposition and strategic initiatives. With a current market capitalization of $7.6 billion and trading at a P/E ratio of 48.24, investors seeking deeper insights can access comprehensive valuation analysis and 12 additional ProTips through InvestingPro’s detailed research reports.
In other recent news, Planet Fitness reported impressive fourth-quarter 2024 earnings, with earnings per share (EPS) of $0.70, surpassing the forecast of $0.62, and revenue reaching $340.5 million, exceeding expectations of $323.8 million. Despite the strong financial performance, the company does not foresee EBITDA leverage this year due to increased investment costs and plans for a 25% rise in capital expenditures as it expands internationally. RBC Capital, BofA Securities, and Piper Sandler all adjusted their price targets for Planet Fitness, lowering them to $110, $115, and $115, respectively, while maintaining positive ratings such as Outperform, Buy, and Overweight. The company’s same-store sales guidance for the upcoming year was slightly below consensus expectations, influencing some analysts’ outlooks. However, Planet Fitness’s robust membership growth, particularly in Black card memberships, highlights its strong market position. Analysts from firms like BofA Securities remain optimistic about the company’s growth prospects, citing consistent membership growth and strategic initiatives. Additionally, Planet Fitness plans to open 160-170 new clubs in 2025, focusing on expanding its presence both domestically and internationally.
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