On Thursday, Stifel, a financial services firm, adjusted its outlook on Astrana Health, Inc (NASDAQ:ASTH), raising the price target to $48 from $45 while maintaining a Buy rating on the stock. The revision follows a recent in-person meeting with Astrana Health's management team, which bolstered confidence in the company's near to medium-term prospects and its expansion strategy beyond its traditional base in California.
The management discussions highlighted Astrana Health's current initiatives to grow its presence in Houston and Las Vegas, areas that currently contribute less than 10% of the company's revenue. Success in these cities could validate Astrana's business model in both the affiliated and owned provider models in new markets. Furthermore, the company's ongoing efforts include a robust merger and acquisition (M&A) pipeline, fueled by the current market dislocation in the value-based care (VBC) space, which may offer additional opportunities for geographical expansion.
Astrana Health's investment in Third Way Health and involvement in a Medicaid Ballot Measure in California were also focal points of the conversations. These initiatives are part of the company's broader strategy to diversify and strengthen its business operations.
The financial services firm views Astrana's current trading at 11 times its projected 2025 EBITDA as an attractive entry point for investors. This valuation, coupled with the company's strategic moves, paints a positive picture for Astrana Health's future financial performance. The raised price target reflects the firm's increased optimism about the company's ability to replicate its success in new markets and capitalize on the potential of its M&A activities.
InvestingPro Insights
In light of Stifel's positive outlook on Astrana Health, Inc (NASDAQ:ASTH), recent data from InvestingPro provides additional insights that may be valuable for investors. Astrana Health is currently trading at a P/E ratio of 30.72, which is relatively high, indicating that investors may be expecting higher earnings growth in the future. This aligns with the company's recent revenue growth, which was reported at 19.34% for the last twelve months as of Q1 2024. Additionally, the company's price is at 87.57% of its 52-week high, suggesting that it is closer to the higher end of its yearly range.
Among the InvestingPro Tips, it is noteworthy that analysts predict Astrana Health will be profitable this year, and the company has been profitable over the last twelve months. Moreover, Astrana Health has demonstrated a strong return over the last five years, which may interest long-term investors. However, it is important to note that the company does not pay a dividend, which could be a consideration for income-focused investors.
For those looking to delve deeper, InvestingPro offers additional tips on Astrana Health, which can be accessed through their platform. Interested investors can use the coupon code PRONEWS24 to get an additional 10% off a yearly or biyearly Pro and Pro+ subscription. In total, there are 8 additional InvestingPro Tips available that can provide further guidance on Astrana Health's financial health and investment potential.
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