On Friday, Evercore ISI updated its outlook on Vertiv Holdings Co. (NYSE: NYSE:VRT) shares, increasing the price target to $105 from the previous $95 while maintaining an Outperform rating on the stock. The firm highlighted Vertiv's comprehensive solutions as a key advantage over competitors who focus on isolated offerings.
Vertiv's ability to provide a full range of cooling and power management solutions across the entire data infrastructure spectrum is seen as a significant differentiator. This includes liquid and air cooling systems, heat rejection and reuse units, evaporative units, and a suite of power management solutions. The firm emphasizes that while server OEMs are introducing liquid cooling products, they are generally limited to specific components, unlike Vertiv's extensive portfolio.
Additionally, the firm points out that services are becoming an increasingly important distinguishing factor in the industry. Vertiv not only offers lifecycle services but also boasts the capability to deploy engineers to customer sites quickly in maintenance or emergency scenarios, potentially within hours rather than days.
Management at Vertiv has identified several ways to drive adjusted operating margins above their 20%+ target, which was announced during the company's analyst day in the fall of the previous year. These include operational expenditure leverage, a price-cost positive environment, and productivity improvements, especially in procurement and manufacturing processes.
Moreover, the firm notes that while management's margin targets assume a neutral mix of services, the increasing rate of services attached to AI deployments could provide a significant boost to margin expansion. Evercore ISI reiterates its Outperform rating and sets a bullish case target of $150, based on a potential earnings per share (EPS) of over $6.50 in the next two to three years.
In other recent news, Vertiv Holdings Co. demonstrated robust financial performance in the first quarter of 2024, with an 8% increase in sales and a significant surge in orders across all regions. Vertiv's adjusted operating profit reached $249 million, and the company initiated a share repurchase program while raising its full-year guidance to predict a 12% organic growth and operating margins of 17.7%.
Citi maintained a 'Buy' rating on Vertiv's stock, emphasizing the company's strong standing in thermal and power sectors, including liquid cooling technologies. The firm also highlighted Vertiv's potential for ongoing margin expansion, which could contribute to accelerated earnings per share growth.
RBC Capital upheld an 'Outperform' rating for Vertiv, appreciating the successful introduction of the company's AI-driven business outcomes platform. The firm anticipates Vertiv's progress towards achieving the Rule of 40 by fiscal year 2027.
Oppenheimer increased its price target for Vertiv to $98, following the company's impressive first-quarter performance in 2024 that surpassed analysts' expectations. Vertiv's AI-related project pipeline has doubled in the last two months, underlining the company's strong positioning, especially in the AI sector.
These recent developments underscore Vertiv's robust positioning in the market and its readiness to capitalize on the burgeoning demand for data center services.
InvestingPro Insights
As Vertiv Holdings Co. (NYSE: VRT) garners positive attention from Evercore ISI, real-time data from InvestingPro further underscores the company's financial landscape. Vertiv's market capitalization stands robust at $35.68 billion, reflecting its significant presence in the sector. The company's revenue growth is noteworthy, with a 15.27% increase over the last twelve months as of Q1 2024, indicating a healthy expansion of its business operations.
InvestingPro Tips suggest that Vertiv's net income is anticipated to grow this year, and with 6 analysts having revised their earnings upwards for the upcoming period, investor confidence seems to be on the rise. Moreover, the company is trading at a low P/E ratio relative to near-term earnings growth, which may signal an attractive investment opportunity for those looking at the fundamentals.
For readers interested in a deeper analysis, there are additional InvestingPro Tips available at https://www.investing.com/pro/VRT. To enhance your investment research, consider using the coupon code PRONEWS24 to get an additional 10% off a yearly or biyearly Pro and Pro+ subscription at InvestingPro, where you can find an extensive array of financial metrics and expert insights to guide your investment decisions.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.