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BofA downgrades Telefonica stock as institutional buying slows

EditorEmilio Ghigini
Published 02/08/2024, 05:16 pm
TEF
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On Friday, BofA Securities adjusted its stance on Telefonica (BME:TEF) S.A. (NYSE:TEF:SM) (NYSE: TEF), downgrading the stock from Buy to Neutral. The firm also set a price target of EUR 4.10 for the company's shares.

The downgrade follows Telefonica's strong performance among telecommunications stocks since the beginning of the year, attributed to several factors including reduced capital expenditures, market consolidation, and significant purchases by major institutional investors such as STC, the Spanish Government, and Caixa.

The analyst from BofA Securities noted that the buying spree by these large institutions appears to be concluding. Additionally, there is concern that the consensus on Telefonica's performance might be overly optimistic, considering recent trends and potential guidance risks, particularly as the Brazilian Real faces devaluation. This currency impact could affect Telefonica's earnings, as Brazil represents a significant market for the company.

BofA Securities expressed that with the price objective now fully reached, there seems to be a limited number of catalysts that could drive Telefonica's stock to continue outperforming the market over a 12-month period. This outlook has prompted the firm to adopt a more cautious stance on the stock's near-term prospects.

Telefonica has been recognized for its robust thematic exposure, which includes falling capital expenditure and market consolidation. However, these factors may no longer provide the same impetus for stock performance going forward, according to the analyst's assessment.

The change in rating to Neutral suggests that BofA Securities anticipates Telefonica's stock to perform in line with the broader equity market or its sector in the near future. Investors may interpret this adjustment as a signal to reassess their expectations for the stock's growth potential in the coming year.

In other recent news, Telefonica, a global telecommunications company, reported a 1.2% increase in revenue year-over-year in the second quarter of 2024.

This growth was coupled with a significant 11.5% increase in EBITDAL minus CapEx, reflecting the company's strides in operational efficiency, network transformation, and customer-centric strategies.

As part of its recent developments, Telefonica has also signed nonbinding Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with Medico and Vodafone (NASDAQ:VOD) for potential transactions in Colombia and Spain, respectively.

The company remains on track to meet its full-year guidance and long-term targets, with a focus on reducing leverage and disciplined capital allocation. Telefonica's debt-related interest cost has decreased to 3.58%, and two deleveraging events are anticipated in the second half of 2024.

BofA Securities recently adjusted its stance on Telefonica, downgrading the stock from Buy to Neutral, a move that followed the company's strong performance in the telecommunications sector.

This downgrade came after concerns of overly optimistic consensus on Telefonica's performance and potential guidance risks, particularly as the Brazilian Real faces devaluation. The firm suggests that Telefonica's stock is expected to perform in line with the broader equity market or its sector in the near future.

InvestingPro Insights

In light of BofA Securities' recent downgrade of Telefonica S.A. (TEF:SM) (NYSE: TEF), it's pertinent to consider additional metrics and insights from InvestingPro to gain a fuller picture of the company's financial health and market position. Telefonica's market capitalization stands at approximately $25.24 billion, reflecting its substantial size within the telecommunications industry. Despite a negative P/E ratio of -24.42, indicating losses in the last twelve months as of Q2 2024, analysts predict a return to profitability this year. This expectation aligns with the company's history of maintaining dividend payments for 22 consecutive years, which is noteworthy for income-focused investors.

InvestingPro Tips highlight Telefonica's high shareholder yield and strong free cash flow yield, suggesting that the company is generating sufficient cash to reward shareholders. Additionally, its significant dividend, with a current yield of 5.1%, remains appealing to those seeking steady income streams. While short-term obligations exceeding liquid assets may raise liquidity concerns, the company's low price volatility and status as a prominent player in the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry could provide some stability for investors.

For those seeking further insights, InvestingPro offers additional tips on Telefonica, providing a more comprehensive analysis of the company's financials and market potential. As of the latest update, there are 9 more InvestingPro Tips available, which can be accessed for in-depth guidance and investment strategy.

With Telefonica's next earnings date slated for November 7, 2024, investors will be watching closely for signs of continued growth and profitability that could influence the stock's trajectory. The InvestingPro Fair Value estimate of $5.71 USD suggests a potential undervaluation compared to the previous close price of $4.5 USD, offering a perspective that may contrast with the more cautious view from BofA Securities.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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