On Thursday, TD Cowen adjusted its price target for Darling Ingredients (NYSE:DAR) shares, a company specializing in turning edible by-products into sustainable goods, reducing it to $45.00 from the previous $51.00 but maintaining a Hold rating on the stock.
The firm cited a downward revision of the second quarter EBITDA estimates, which are now approximately $50 million below the consensus, due to lower than expected margins from Darling Ingredients' Diamond Green Diesel (DGD) joint venture and, to a lesser extent, its Feed segment.
The firm's analyst does not anticipate that Darling Ingredients will modify its full-year 2024 EBITDA guidance in the near term, despite the fact that their estimates are $0.1 billion below the low end of the company's guidance range. The firm expects that Darling Ingredients will see an improvement in EBITDA in the fourth quarter of 2024.
The adjustment reflects a cautious stance on the company's short-term earnings potential, specifically pointing to the need for a more detailed analysis before predicting the company's financial trajectory from the fourth quarter of 2024 into the full year of 2025. The firm's current position remains neutral with a Hold rating, signaling that they do not recommend buying or selling the stock at this time.
The reduction in the price target comes as a result of the firm's revised expectations for the company's earnings, which are now set lower due to the anticipated underperformance in the DGD margins and Feed EBITDA. This change in forecast by TD Cowen provides investors with updated guidance on the firm's valuation of Darling Ingredients' stock.
In other recent news, Darling Ingredients has seen significant developments. Citi upgraded the company's stock from Neutral to Buy, despite a lowered price target of $48, citing the potential for improved earnings in 2025. This is largely due to anticipated sales of higher-margin sustainable aviation fuel from Diamond Green Diesel, higher Low Carbon Fuel Standards credit prices in California, and favorable changes to US biofuels tax credits.
Stifel also reaffirmed a Buy rating for Darling Ingredients but reduced the price target to $85, following a review of the company's quarterly results and updated guidance. Meanwhile, the company reported a combined adjusted EBITDA of $280.1 million for Q1 2024, including a $25 million inventory adjustment.
Analyst firms, including Baird, Stifel, and Piper Sandler, continue to express confidence in Darling Ingredients' prospects, despite immediate challenges such as lower DGD margin capture and weaker feed/food volumes. These recent developments highlight the company's strategic growth and financial performance.
InvestingPro Insights
In light of TD Cowen's revised price target for Darling Ingredients, current InvestingPro data and tips offer additional context for investors considering the company's stock. With a market capitalization of $5.85 billion and trading at an earnings multiple of 10.84, Darling Ingredients appears to be trading at a low earnings multiple, which could be appealing to value investors. Additionally, the company's gross profit margin for the last twelve months as of Q1 2024 stands at a solid 23.76%, demonstrating its ability to maintain profitability despite revenue challenges.
However, it's important to note that analysts have revised earnings downwards for the upcoming period, which aligns with the concerns expressed by TD Cowen. The company has also experienced a notable price decline over the last three months, with a 19.21% drop. This could potentially signal a buying opportunity for long-term investors, especially considering that the stock is trading near its 52-week low and liquid assets exceed short-term obligations, indicating financial stability.
For those looking for a deeper dive into the company's prospects, InvestingPro offers additional insights. There are 11 more InvestingPro Tips available, which could provide a comprehensive analysis for investors. To access these tips and more detailed metrics, use the coupon code PRONEWS24 to get an additional 10% off a yearly or biyearly Pro and Pro+ subscription at InvestingPro.
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