On Thursday, Deutsche Bank raised the price target for Casey's General Stores (NASDAQ:CASY) shares to $420 from the previous $375, while maintaining a Buy rating on the stock.
The company's fourth-quarter results exceeded expectations, particularly in fuel profitability and prepared foods. The fiscal year 2025 outlook suggests sustained business momentum.
Casey's General Stores reported robust performance in the face of market volatility, demonstrating the resilience of its business model. The company has been gaining market share from quick-service restaurant competitors due to its emphasis on maximizing the price/value equation in its prepared foods segment.
Operational expenses at Casey's have been effectively managed, with improvements in same-store labor hours. The company anticipates a 1% reduction in operational expenses for fiscal years 2025 and 2026.
In the fourth quarter, Casey's fuel profitability and gallon growth outpaced the OPIS benchmark by approximately 400 basis points, a significant improvement over the underperformance seen from the first to the third quarter, which averaged around 120 basis points.
The prepared food segment, including pizza, hot sandwiches, and dispensed beverages, has been a standout area for Casey's. The company's pizza sales grew by 8.8%, outshining the top three pizza chain competitors, which saw an increase of only 0.9%. This success underscores Casey's strong value proposition, which is becoming more appealing in the current economic climate.
Despite a rise in promotions and value messaging among competitors, Casey's maintains a significant value gap. The company's meal solutions are expected to continue driving mid-single-digit or higher same-store sales growth in the prepared foods category.
In other recent news, Casey's General Stores reported record financial results for its Q4 fiscal year 2024, with diluted earnings per share reaching $13.43, marking a 13% increase from the previous year.
The company's net income was a notable $502 million, and it achieved $1.1 billion in EBITDA, an 11% increase compared to the prior year. Casey's expansion strategy resulted in the construction of 42 new stores and the acquisition of 112, projecting an EBITDA increase of at least 8% and a 3% to 5% rise in inside same-store sales for fiscal year 2025.
In addition, the company expects to continue its growth trajectory in fiscal 2025, with plans to add at least 100 stores through mergers, acquisitions, and new store constructions.
However, fiscal '25 guidance remains conservative due to potential concerns about consumer spending and modest price increases in response to inflation. The company's rewards program now boasts over 8 million members, with plans to enhance one-to-one marketing efforts. Despite uncertainties, Casey's remains focused on leveraging its successful rewards program and expanding its store network to drive future growth.
InvestingPro Insights
Following the upbeat assessment by Deutsche Bank, Casey's General Stores (NASDAQ:CASY) showcases a blend of strength and potential caution areas according to InvestingPro data. The company's market capitalization stands at a solid $14.11 billion, underlining its significant presence in the retail sector. Investors should note the P/E ratio of 30.18, which suggests a higher valuation relative to near-term earnings growth, and a PEG ratio of 6.55, indicating expectations of future earnings growth may be optimistic given the current P/E.
InvestingPro Tips highlight that Casey's has a commendable track record of raising its dividend for 24 consecutive years, demonstrating a commitment to shareholder returns. However, analysts have tempered expectations, with four analysts revising their earnings downwards for the upcoming period. Additionally, the stock has experienced a significant return over the last week, which may attract investors looking for recent positive momentum.
For those considering an investment in Casey's, the company's robust dividend history and recent market performance are encouraging signs. Interested readers can find more InvestingPro Tips to inform their investment strategy at https://www.investing.com/pro/CASY. There are 16 additional tips available on InvestingPro, which can be accessed with a special offer using the coupon code PRONEWS24 for an additional 10% off a yearly or biyearly Pro and Pro+ subscription.
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