UBS maintains Palantir stock Neutral rating, $105 target

Published 25/04/2025, 08:50
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On Friday, UBS analyst Karl Keirstead reaffirmed a Neutral rating on Palantir Technologies Inc . (NASDAQ:PLTR) with a steady price target of $105.00. Keirstead’s approach to evaluating the company’s resilience amid a challenging economic environment involved consulting with Palantir’s commercial and government partners. The feedback suggests that while Palantir’s business appears robust, with impressive gross profit margins of 80.25% according to InvestingPro data, it faces potential risks due to delays in federal deal closures, a situation that is reportedly occurring at present.

Despite these concerns, UBS’s stance on Palantir remains constructive based on the company’s fundamentals. Palantir’s stock has been one of the top performers in the software sector, with InvestingPro data showing a remarkable 396% return over the past year and a 42.5% year-to-date increase. However, the firm’s valuation metrics are notably high, with a P/E ratio of 509x and an EV/EBITDA multiple of 725x, supporting UBS’s decision to maintain its Neutral rating. According to InvestingPro’s Fair Value analysis, the stock appears to be trading above its intrinsic value.

Keirstead’s commentary comes ahead of Palantir’s first-quarter earnings report, scheduled for May 5, 2025. The anticipation surrounding this financial update is heightened by the company’s strong financial health, with a current ratio of 5.96 and moderate debt levels. InvestingPro analysis reveals 18 additional key insights about Palantir’s financial position, available exclusively to subscribers through the comprehensive Pro Research Report.

Investors and industry observers are keenly awaiting the Q1 2025 results to gauge how Palantir is managing its business operations against the backdrop of the current macroeconomic headwinds. The insights from the company’s customers and partners will likely play a crucial role in shaping market sentiment as they reveal spending intentions and the impact of federal deal delays on Palantir’s performance.

In summary, while UBS acknowledges the solid performance and resilience of Palantir, the firm’s current market valuation and the looming uncertainty of federal deals have influenced the decision to maintain a Neutral stance on the stock. As the date for the earnings report approaches, the market’s focus will be on Palantir’s ability to navigate the challenges and capitalize on its strengths in the software industry.

In other recent news, Palantir Technologies has secured a contract with NATO to supply its AI-powered Maven Smart System, enhancing the alliance’s military capabilities. This contract is expected to bolster Palantir’s presence in the U.S. Federal market, with analysts like Dan Ives from Wedbush viewing it as a significant win. William Blair also maintained a Market Perform rating for Palantir, noting the company’s strong financial outlook with projected revenue growth of 31% and an operating margin forecast of 45% by 2025. Despite these positive developments, Palantir’s stock remains highly correlated with the Nasdaq-100, which could impact its performance if the index trends downward.

In addition, Palantir has partnered with Everfox to enhance software solutions for classified network environments, focusing on joint and integrated command and control operations. This collaboration aims to provide real-time intelligence processing and a unified data environment for complex network needs. Meanwhile, Goldman Sachs has reiterated a Neutral rating for Palantir, maintaining a price target of $80, following a product demonstration and discussions with company executives. The firm acknowledges Palantir’s distinctive technology but remains cautious about the simplification of custom AI workflows in the evolving tech landscape.

Furthermore, Palantir’s stock experienced a slight decline amid broader concerns about defense contract stability following the Pentagon’s decision to cancel a software project involving Oracle (NYSE:ORCL) and Leidos. This decision, part of the Pentagon’s cost-cutting measures, underscores the challenges and uncertainties in defense-related contracts. Despite these challenges, Palantir continues to position itself strategically in the defense sector, leveraging its AI capabilities and partnerships to drive growth and innovation.

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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