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Investing.com -- Bernstein has upgraded Demant (CSE:DEMANT) to “outperform” from “market-perform,” citing improving growth drivers and reduced downside risks, in a note dated Friday.
The brokerage raised its price target to DKK 338 from DKK 249, implying a 19% upside from Demant’s closing price of DKK 283.40 on June 12.
The analysts flagged three key developments behind the upgrade, namely, the acquisition of KIND, a return to the U.S. managed care channel, and an expected product launch within 12 months.
The KIND deal, announced June 11, is valued at €700 million (about DKK 5.2 billion) and adds approximately DKK 2.2 billion in revenue in 2026.
KIND operates around 600 stores in Germany with a high single-digit market share and is expected to increase Demant’s retail segment sales by roughly 20%.
Bernstein sees the deal as a strategic fit, projecting it to be EPS accretive by low single digits in 2026–2027 and mid-single digits by 2028–2029.
Demant plans to finance the acquisition with a bridge loan. Net debt/EBITDA is forecast to rise to 3.1x by year-end 2025 but return to the company’s 2.0–2.5x target within two years.
Bernstein also sees upside from Demant’s reentry into the U.S. managed care market. After exiting the channel in 2024 following a dispute with United Healthcare, Demant reached an agreement in 2025 to offer a broader portfolio, including the Oticon Intent.
The exit had led to a 3% headwind in wholesale sales; Bernstein expects a reversal of that drag starting in the second half of 2025.
The analysts expect a new product launch in early 2026, consistent with the company’s 2–2.5 year cycle.
A launch could help offset the underperformance of the Oticon Intent and counter gains made by Sonova’s Sphere.
On valuation, Demant trades at 21x estimated 2025 earnings and 18x 2026 earnings, below its 10-year average of 23x. Bernstein sees room for multiple expansion, especially with peer Sonova trading at 23x 2025/26E EPS. About 74% of the target price increase is attributed to a re-rating.
Risks flagged in March, such as weak Q1 performance, slowing U.S. growth, and potential Veterans Affairs share losses, have eased.
Demant downgraded its 2025 EBIT guidance by 9% in May following a 1% sales miss in Q1. The U.S. private market, which accounts for about 40% of company sales, has shown signs of recovery in Q2.
The company also secured a price increase in a new five-year VA contract effective May 2025.
While competitors have entered the channel, Bernstein sees the price adjustment as a margin buffer.
Bernstein raised its 2026 and 2027 adjusted EPS estimates by 2–3%, and sees a 14% EPS CAGR through 2029. The valuation model uses a 70% weight on a 20x 2026E P/E and 30% on DCF, with an 8% WACC.