On Friday, Mizuho Securities demonstrated confidence in DraftKings Inc. (NASDAQ:DKNG) by raising its price target to $62.00 from the previous $54.00, while maintaining an Outperform rating on the stock. The firm's analyst highlighted the potential of DraftKings to surpass its projected earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) for the years 2025, 2026, and 2028.
DraftKings' long-term earnings power is seen as underappreciated, according to Mizuho. The analyst believes there is significant operating leverage that the market has yet to fully understand. The focus on short-term fluctuations such as game outcomes, seasonal changes, and monthly revenue is thought to be overshadowing the broader narrative of the company's growth potential.
The analyst also pointed out that the near and medium-term outlook for DraftKings is promising, with "particularly easy hold comparisons" relative to November 2023. This favorable comparison is expected to drive upside to the company's estimates.
Adding to the positive outlook, DraftKings has been included in Mizuho's Top Picks list. This decision is based on an analysis of both medium and longer-term variables that are anticipated to contribute to the company's earnings growth.
In summary, Mizuho's revised price target reflects a more optimistic view on DraftKings' ability to achieve and potentially exceed its financial goals in the coming years. The firm's analysis suggests that the market may be underestimating the company's growth trajectory and financial performance.
In other recent news, DraftKings Inc. has reported a significant 80% increase in new online sports betting and iGaming customers year-over-year, coupled with a 26% rise in revenue, totaling $1.104 billion. The company also managed to reduce its marketing costs by over 40% and announced a share repurchase program of up to $1 billion. On the regulatory front, DraftKings agreed to pay a $200,000 penalty to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) over charges of failure to disclose material non-public information equitably to all investors.
Analysts have been active in evaluating the company. BMO Capital Markets maintained a positive outlook on DraftKings, reiterating its Outperform rating and a consistent price target of $48, despite potential challenges due to recent tax legislation. Susquehanna raised the stock's price target to $50 from the previous $48 while maintaining a Positive rating, driven by a strong Q3 outlook. JPMorgan lifted its price target for DraftKings to $54 from the previous $48, maintaining an Overweight rating.
Needham maintained its Buy rating and $60.00 stock price target for DraftKings, despite a revision in the company's adjusted EBITDA projections for the years 2025 and 2026.
InvestingPro Insights
The optimistic outlook presented by Mizuho Securities aligns with several key metrics and insights from InvestingPro. DraftKings' revenue growth remains robust, with a 43.26% increase in the last twelve months as of Q2 2024, and a 26.23% quarterly growth in Q2 2024. This strong performance supports Mizuho's confidence in the company's growth trajectory.
InvestingPro Tips highlight that analysts anticipate sales growth in the current year and that net income is expected to grow. These projections corroborate Mizuho's view on DraftKings' potential to surpass EBITDA projections in the coming years. Additionally, the company's EBITDA growth of 73.59% in the last twelve months suggests significant improvement in operational efficiency.
While DraftKings operates with a moderate level of debt and is not currently profitable, analysts predict the company will be profitable this year, aligning with Mizuho's assessment of underappreciated long-term earnings power. The stock's high return over the last decade and strong return over the last five years further support the positive sentiment.
For investors seeking a more comprehensive analysis, InvestingPro offers 11 additional tips for DraftKings, providing a deeper understanding of the company's financial health and market position.
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