On Friday, JPMorgan reiterated its Neutral rating and a price target of JPY46,600.00 on Lasertec Corp. (6920:JP) (OTC: LSRCF), following recent allegations of accounting malpractice. Lasertec's shares experienced an 8% drop on Wednesday and an additional 3% on Thursday, amidst accusations by Scorpion Capital of falsified accounting practices. In response, Lasertec immediately issued a denial of these allegations on Wednesday.
The company went further to address concerns by releasing sales and order data by product on Thursday, which indicated a consistent growth in orders for its ACTIS series. This move was aimed at countering the claims presented in the Scorpion Capital report and to provide reassurance to stakeholders. Despite the release of this data, the firm acknowledges that some skepticism may persist regarding technical issues at Lasertec.
JPMorgan's commentary highlighted that while the true impact of the accusations on Lasertec's performance remains uncertain, the sustained high level of orders and sales since the announcement of the ACTIS series implies that no significant problems have surfaced. The analyst's position reflects a cautious outlook in light of the recent controversy surrounding the company.
InvestingPro Insights
In light of recent events surrounding Lasertec Corp. (6920:JP) (OTC: LSRCF), InvestingPro data shows a mixed picture. The company's market capitalization stands at $21.02 billion, indicating a substantial presence in its sector. Despite the challenges posed by the allegations, Lasertec's revenue growth has been impressive over the last twelve months as of Q3 2024, with an increase of 98.38%. This growth is further illustrated by a quarterly revenue growth of 155.7% in Q1 2024, which may lend credibility to the company's released sales and order data.
InvestingPro Tips suggest that Lasertec is a prominent player in the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, and has maintained dividend payments for 33 consecutive years, which could be seen as a sign of financial stability and commitment to shareholder returns. Additionally, analysts anticipate sales growth in the current year, which could align with the company's consistent growth in orders for its ACTIS series, as mentioned in the article.
While Lasertec's stock price has taken a significant hit over the last week, with a one-week total return of -14.74%, the company's long-term performance remains robust with a one-year price total return of 67.35%. This volatility is a factor investors may need to consider, especially in the context of recent controversies.
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