GS starts Saint-Gobain coverage, says the company is ’entering the next chapter’

Published 18/06/2025, 08:40
© Reuters.

Investing.com -- Goldman Sachs has begun research coverage on Compagnie de Saint-Gobain (EPA:SGOB) shares with a Neutral rating and a 12-month price target of €110, representing an upside of around 12% from current levels.

The bank says the French company is “entering the next chapter,” having completed a six-year turnaround that meaningfully lifted earnings and narrowed its valuation gap to peers.

“With margin repair efforts now largely complete, we see the company entering the next chapter, one in which priorities shift to topline growth,” analysts Ben Rada Martin and Patrick Creuset wrote.

They cited upside potential in structural growth segments such as European residential renovation and Construction Chemicals, alongside positive pricing in the Americas and margin opportunities in both regions.

Goldman sees potential in Saint-Gobain’s ability to “capitalize on an inflecting European residential cycle,” and highlighted cross-selling of its expanded product portfolio as a strategic lever.

The company’s performance in Northern Europe has already begun to improve, and Southern Europe is expected to follow later in the year. Goldman estimates that volume-to-EBIT leverage in upcycles has historically reached around 3x in Southern Europe.

However, the recent share price rally, up 47% since January 2024 versus a 1% decline for peers, suggests much of the upside is already reflected.

“We sit +2-3% ahead of Visible Alpha Consensus Data FY25-27 EPS but believe shares largely price in the upside risk,” the analysts said, explaining their Neutral stance on the stock.

The bank’s valuation is based on a 14x forward price-to-earnings (P/E), a slight discount to the 15x peer average but a premium to the company’s 20-year average of 12x.

To justify a re-rating, Goldman analysts said they would need “stronger-than-expected Europe resi cycle” or clear signs that Saint-Gobain can deliver higher structural growth beyond cyclical improvements.

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers
© 2007-2025 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.