On Friday, Stifel, a financial services firm, adjusted its outlook on Veeva Systems (NYSE:VEEV), a cloud-computing company focused on pharmaceutical and life sciences industry applications. The firm's analyst reduced the price target on the company's shares to $210 from the previous $250 while maintaining a Buy rating.
Veeva Systems reported first-quarter revenue and earnings per share that surpassed the guidance after the market closed on the previous day. Despite this, the company's revenue guidance for the fiscal year 2025 (ending January) was modestly revised downward from an expected 12% increase to a projection of 10-11%, with no alteration to the company's margin, free cash flow, or earnings per share forecasts.
The reduction in revenue expectations primarily arises from a lower services revenue, attributed to deferred licensing deals moving from the second quarter to the second half of the fiscal year, which also impacts associated service revenue.
The company's billings guidance for fiscal year 2025 was also slightly decreased by approximately 1% to reflect a 10% year-over-year growth, aligning with the revised revenue guidance, as services are typically billed in the same period they are recognized. Stifel's estimates for fiscal year 2025 assume the lower end of the company's revenue guidance and in-line earnings per share. For fiscal year 2026, Stifel projects a 10% revenue growth with mostly flat margins.
While Stifel remains optimistic about Veeva Systems in the long term, the analyst noted that the stock may be range-bound until there is greater clarity on the company's growth trajectory. The firm believes that an annual revenue growth of 10-15% with margin expansion is achievable for Veeva.
Following the earnings report, Veeva's shares experienced a 9% drop in after-market trading, which Stifel regarded as an overreaction but understandable given the recent volatility in software stocks. Based on the after-market trading price of approximately $177, Veeva is trading at 23 times its forward unlevered free cash flow, which Stifel suggests could be an attractive entry point for long-term investors.
InvestingPro Insights
As investors digest the latest earnings report and guidance from Veeva Systems, it's important to consider the financial health and market performance of the company. Veeva Systems holds a strong position with more cash than debt on its balance sheet, which is a reassuring sign of financial stability. Moreover, the company's stock is known for its low price volatility, offering a more predictable investment in the often turbulent tech sector.
From a valuation perspective, Veeva Systems is trading at a high earnings multiple, with a P/E ratio of 58.73 and an even higher adjusted P/E ratio for the last twelve months as of Q4 2024 at 62.26. This indicates that the market has high expectations for future earnings. Moreover, the company's revenue growth for the last twelve months stood at 9.68%, a tad below the revised guidance for fiscal year 2025.
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