On Friday, TD Cowen maintained its Hold rating on Nikola Corp . (NASDAQ:NKLA) but significantly reduced the price target for the company's stock from $10.00 to $4.00. The adjustment comes after the electric vehicle manufacturer reported a higher-than-anticipated cash burn rate in the third quarter of 2024. The company's management disclosed that they have approximately five to six months of operational runway remaining.
The analyst from TD Cowen highlighted the ongoing discussions with potential strategic partners as a critical factor for Nikola. However, it was noted that these partners might need additional time to perform due diligence before committing. This due diligence process is a standard procedure for companies considering significant investments or partnerships and can impact the timeline of any potential deal.
The revised price target of $4.00 is based on a valuation of 1x EV/2025 revenue, which has been adjusted downward in line with the company's latest financial performance. This valuation method compares the company's enterprise value to its projected revenues, providing a metric for evaluating the company's worth.
Nikola's current financial situation underscores the challenges it faces in the highly competitive electric vehicle market. With a limited cash runway, the company's ability to continue operations hinges on securing additional funding or forming strategic partnerships that can provide financial stability.
The report from TD Cowen suggests a cautious outlook for Nikola, reflecting the uncertainties surrounding the company's future. Investors and market watchers will likely monitor Nikola's progress closely as it seeks to navigate through its financial difficulties and establish a more secure position in the market.
In other recent news, Nikola Corporation has reported significant growth in the third quarter of 2024, despite facing financial challenges. The company achieved record sales of 88 hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks, a 78% increase in fleet adoption, and a nearly 350% surge in hydrogen dispensing at its stations year-over-year.
Gross revenue for the quarter was $33 million, up from $31 million in the previous quarter, while the gross loss widened to $62 million. The company's cash reserves decreased to $198 million, projected to sustain operations through Q1 2025.
Nikola Corporation is committed to expanding its zero-emission ecosystem and is exploring strategies for capital optimization and potential partnerships. Despite a decrease in cash reserves and a reported gross loss, the company maintains its guidance for 300 to 350 fuel cell truck deliveries for the year.
These are recent developments and represent a mix of achievements and challenges for the company.
InvestingPro Insights
Recent data from InvestingPro paints a challenging picture for Nikola Corp. (NASDAQ:NKLA), aligning with TD Cowen's cautious stance. The company's market capitalization has dwindled to $191.26 million, reflecting investor concerns about its financial health. Nikola's stock price has plummeted, trading at just 9.9% of its 52-week high, which underscores the significant market skepticism.
InvestingPro Tips highlight that Nikola is "quickly burning through cash" and "not profitable over the last twelve months," corroborating TD Cowen's report on the company's limited operational runway. The company's financial struggles are further emphasized by its negative gross profit margin of -567.8% for the last twelve months, indicating severe challenges in its core business operations.
Despite these headwinds, InvestingPro Tips also note that Nikola is "trading at a low Price / Book multiple" of 0.37, which could potentially attract value investors. Additionally, analysts anticipate sales growth in the current year, offering a glimmer of hope for the company's future prospects.
For investors seeking a more comprehensive analysis, InvestingPro offers 20 additional tips on Nikola, providing a deeper understanding of the company's financial position and market performance.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.