William Blair maintains Outperform rating on CBRE Group stock

Published 24/04/2025, 19:22
William Blair maintains Outperform rating on CBRE Group stock

On Thursday, William Blair, represented by analyst Stephen Sheldon, reaffirmed an Outperform rating on shares of CBRE Group (NYSE:CBRE), which saw an approximate 3% increase in value. With a current market capitalization of $37.12 billion and a P/E ratio of 39.76x, CBRE’s shares are currently trading at 19 times the firm’s 2025 core earnings per share (EPS) estimate and 13 times the 2025 core earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) estimate. These figures incorporate an adjustment for estimated stock-based compensation, which is not typically included in CBRE’s core calculations. According to InvestingPro analysis, the stock appears slightly overvalued at current levels, with analyst price targets ranging from $112 to $160.

CBRE’s valuation is set against the backdrop of a peer-group average price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of around 14 times based on existing 2025 estimates. The analyst underscored CBRE’s promising performance amid challenging conditions and the anticipation of a surge in transactional activity in the commercial real estate (CRE) services sector, particularly within the high-margin capital markets segment where significant pent-up demand exists.

Sheldon expressed confidence in CBRE’s potential for robust multiyear growth, driven by several factors. These include secular growth drivers supporting large CRE service firms, CBRE’s position as the leading global player, the company’s consistent high-level execution and market share expansion, and the potential for upward estimate revisions. Recent data from InvestingPro shows strong revenue growth of 11.95% over the last twelve months, with two analysts recently revising their earnings estimates upward. Furthermore, CBRE’s strategy of diversifying its business across services, property types, and geographies over the past decade has resulted in more resilient business segments that now constitute 60% of profit and continue to grow at a double-digit rate. InvestingPro subscribers have access to 10+ additional exclusive insights about CBRE’s financial health and growth prospects.

The analyst also suggested that CBRE might benefit from multiple re-rating across various stages of the economic cycle, which could enhance shareholder returns in the medium term. The possibility of CBRE engaging in accretive mergers and acquisitions (M&A) or increasing share repurchases was cited as potential upside to current estimates.

However, Sheldon also advised investors to be aware of risks associated with CBRE, including its dependence on macroeconomic trends, especially those affecting transactional revenue streams, potential volatility in margin trajectory, exposure to foreign currency fluctuations, and competitive pressures within the industry. InvestingPro data reveals a moderate debt level and weak gross profit margins of 19.63%, though the company maintains a healthy overall financial score of 2.67. Despite these considerations, the firm’s Outperform rating stands, reflecting a positive outlook on CBRE’s stock performance going forward. For comprehensive analysis of CBRE and 1,400+ other US stocks, access detailed Pro Research Reports available exclusively to InvestingPro subscribers.

In other recent news, CBRE Group Inc. has reported a strong financial performance for the first quarter of 2025, exceeding both earnings and revenue forecasts. The company achieved an earnings per share (EPS) of $0.86, surpassing the consensus estimate of $0.82, and reported revenue of $8.91 billion, beating the expected $8.73 billion. This marks a significant positive deviation from previous quarters where forecasts were typically met but not substantially exceeded. CBRE’s core EBITDA increased by 27% year-on-year, while core EPS grew by 10%, demonstrating operational efficiency and growth. The company has maintained its core EPS guidance for 2025 between $5.8 and $6.1, despite potential market uncertainties. Additionally, CBRE continues to focus on mergers and acquisitions and strategic investments to drive growth. The firm maintains a strong balance sheet with net leverage under 1.5 turns, allowing it to capitalize on market opportunities. Analysts have noted that CBRE’s diversified business model and strategic acquisitions have bolstered its position in the real estate services market, with resilient businesses now accounting for over 60% of total service operating profit.

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.