On Thursday, Truist Securities increased the price target for O'Reilly (NASDAQ:ORLY) Automotive (NASDAQ: ORLY) shares to $1,204 from the previous target of $1,143. The firm reaffirmed its Buy rating on the stock. The adjustment follows a review of the company's second-quarter performance, which aligned with the recently reduced estimates by Truist Securities. The company's commercial growth remained steady sequentially, but there was a slight decline in do-it-yourself (DIY) sales, attributed mainly to weaker discretionary spending.
The forecast for fiscal year 2024 was revised slightly downward, with both the comparable company sales range and earnings per share estimates decreased by approximately one percentage point. This revision is due to somewhat slower trends across the auto parts industry, largely affecting sales to lower-income consumers. Despite these trends, Truist Securities noted that O'Reilly Automotive continues to gain market share.
The analyst from Truist Securities highlighted that while auto parts are resilient during economic downturns, they are not entirely immune to recessions. Nonetheless, the expectation is that industry growth will pick up again eventually. In the interim, O'Reilly Automotive's robust cash flow is being utilized to repurchase stock, which the analyst believes could provide additional earnings per share leverage.
The revised price target reflects Truist Securities' outlook that, despite the current industry-wide slowdown, O'Reilly Automotive's market position and financial strategies are expected to contribute to its growth potential. The company's share repurchase program is particularly noted as a factor that could enhance shareholder value.
In other recent news, O'Reilly Automotive has been the subject of analyst attention, with Barclays maintaining an Equalweight rating on the company and setting a price target at $986. The firm anticipates a potential shortfall in the company's second-quarter 2024 results due to ongoing demand challenges. Simultaneously, Truist Securities adjusted its price target for O'Reilly Automotive to $1,143, down from $1,212, while maintaining a Buy rating.
In the earnings department, O'Reilly Automotive reported first-quarter earnings per share (EPS) of $9.20, slightly below the consensus estimate of $9.27, but matched revenue estimates at $3.98 billion. The company's full-year 2024 guidance, with an EPS range of $41.35 to $41.85, trails the analyst consensus of $42.40. Revenue for the full year is expected to be between $16.8 billion and $17.1 billion, marginally below the consensus of $16.95 billion.
Furthermore, O'Reilly Automotive has been expanding its footprint, opening 37 new stores in the United States and Mexico, and entering the Canadian market through the acquisition of Vast Auto. This move added 23 stores to the company's portfolio. Lastly, the company's share repurchase program remains active, having bought back 0.3 million shares for a total investment of $270 million, with approximately $2.22 billion remaining under its share repurchase authorizations.
InvestingPro Insights
Following Truist Securities' updated price target for O'Reilly Automotive (NASDAQ: ORLY), InvestingPro metrics and tips offer additional insights. With a market capitalization of $64.62 billion and a P/E ratio of 27.64, O'Reilly stands as a significant player in the auto parts industry. The company's revenue growth over the last twelve months as of Q1 2024 was 8.49%, reflecting a solid performance despite industry headwinds. Additionally, O'Reilly's gross profit margin remains strong at 51.3%, underscoring its efficiency in managing costs relative to its revenue.
InvestingPro Tips suggest caution, noting that the stock is trading at a high P/E ratio relative to near-term earnings growth and that short-term obligations exceed liquid assets. However, the company's ability to cover interest payments with its cash flows and a moderate level of debt are positive signs. Moreover, analysts predict profitability this year, and the company has been profitable over the last twelve months. For investors looking for stability, O'Reilly's low price volatility may be appealing. Notably, the company has achieved a high return over the last decade and has continued to perform strongly over the past five years. It's also worth mentioning that O'Reilly does not pay a dividend, which could be a factor for income-focused investors to consider.
For those seeking a deeper analysis, InvestingPro offers additional tips on O'Reilly Automotive, which can be accessed at https://www.investing.com/pro/ORLY. Readers can use the coupon code PRONEWS24 to get up to 10% off a yearly Pro and a yearly or biyearly Pro+ subscription, gaining access to valuable investment insights and metrics tailored to enhance their investment decisions.
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