VF Corp shares upgraded to buy, price target raised

Published 18/07/2024, 12:00
VF Corp shares upgraded to buy, price target raised

On Thursday, Citi upgraded shares of VF Corp (NYSE:VFC) from Neutral to Buy, significantly raising the price target to $20 from the previous $11. This positive shift in outlook followed the announcement that VF Corp has sold the Supreme brand for $1.5 billion, a figure that surpassed expectations. The sale's completion is expected to enable the apparel giant to address its upcoming debt obligations.

Citi's stance has changed based on the belief that VF Corp's CEO, Bracken Darrell, will now be able to concentrate on refining the company's operations. With the burden of debt soon to be alleviated, there is an anticipation of increased strategic flexibility that could lead to improvements within the business.

The analyst noted that Vans, one of VF Corp's key brands, appears to be nearing a turning point. With a new brand president at the helm, even a slight piece of positive news could potentially boost the stock's performance. Additionally, The North Face, another prominent brand under VF Corp, is expected to maintain its relative health despite previous quarters of weather-related challenges.

The analysis also highlighted a 5% free cash flow yield projected for 2025, which is seen as providing a safety net against downside risks. This financial indicator, coupled with the company's healthier balance sheet post-Supreme sale, is viewed as a protective measure for investors.

In summary, Citi projects a favorable risk/reward scenario for VF Corp, describing it as a unique opportunity for a self-driven sales and margin recovery story, now underpinned by a more robust financial structure.

In other recent news, VF Corp has been making strategic moves that have attracted attention from analysts. Stifel has maintained a buy rating on VF Corp, with a steady price target of $19, following the company's decision to sell the Supreme brand for $1.5 billion.

The sale is expected to enhance VF Corp's capital structure and improve leverage ratios. Stifel's analysis suggests that VF Corp's equity value will now largely depend on the success of a turnaround for the Vans brand.

In addition, VF Corp has made significant changes to its leadership team. Michelle (Sun) Choe has been appointed as the Global Brand President of Vans, a move that analysts from BTIG view as positive for the brand. Furthermore, Caroline Brown has been named the Global Brand President of The North Face. These appointments are part of VF Corp's ongoing board refreshment process.

These recent developments highlight VF Corp's strategic efforts to drive growth and value creation. It's worth noting that these changes come at a time when the company is navigating a dynamic global market. As such, the impact of these strategic moves on VF Corp's financial performance will be closely watched by investors and market watchers.

InvestingPro Insights

In light of Citi's upgraded outlook for VF Corp (NYSE:VFC), InvestingPro data reveals a market capitalization of $6.28 billion, indicating a significant presence in the apparel industry. While the company's current P/E ratio stands at a negative 6.53, reflecting challenges in recent profitability, the negative trend is anticipated to reverse according to InvestingPro Tips, which suggest that net income is expected to grow this year. Moreover, despite the recent volatility in stock price movements, VF Corp has shown a strong return over the last week of 20.34%, and an impressive three-month price total return of 28.32%, hinting at a potential positive momentum for investors.

Additionally, VF Corp's commitment to shareholder value is underscored by its record of maintaining dividend payments for 54 consecutive years, with a current dividend yield of 2.23%. Investors looking for detailed analysis and further insights can find more InvestingPro Tips at https://www.investing.com/pro/VFC. For access to exclusive tips and metrics, use coupon code PRONEWS24 to get up to 10% off a yearly Pro and a yearly or biyearly Pro+ subscription. With 10 additional InvestingPro Tips available, investors have a wealth of information to inform their decisions regarding VF Corp's stock.

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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