On Tuesday, BofA Securities adjusted its outlook on shares of Huntsman Corporation (NYSE:HUN), a global manufacturer and marketer of differentiated and specialty chemicals. The firm's analyst has lowered the price target on the company to $29 from the previous $30 while reaffirming a Buy rating on the stock.
The reassessment comes after Huntsman reported its first-quarter results and provided guidance for the second quarter, which according to BofA Securities indicates that a recovery is in progress.
The firm noted the end of destocking and potential for earnings growth driven by strong volume expansion and high incremental margins. Specifically, the Polyurethanes segment's performance was highlighted, with EBITDA reaching $39 million, aligning with the forecasted range of $30-40 million, despite rising benzene costs and limited price traction in the U.S.
BofA Securities emphasized Huntsman's ability to achieve significant earnings growth compared to its peers, citing volume growth and unit margin expansion as key factors. The company's valuation is based on a multiple of 11.5 times the estimated EBITDA for 2024.
The price objective revision to $29 reflects a slight adjustment due to a marginally lower estimated EBITDA for 2024. Despite this, the firm stands by its Buy rating, signaling confidence in Huntsman's earnings potential and growth trajectory within its sector.
InvestingPro Insights
As investors consider the outlook provided by BofA Securities on Huntsman Corporation, they may find additional context in real-time data and insights from InvestingPro. The company's commitment to shareholder returns is evidenced by a dividend that has been raised for three consecutive years and maintained for 18 years, highlighting a stable income stream for investors. Additionally, analysts are anticipating Huntsman to return to profitability this year, which could signal a turnaround for the company's financial health.
On the financial metrics front, Huntsman's market capitalization stands at $4.29 billion, with a dividend yield of 4.04%, reflecting a solid return for income-focused investors. Despite recent revenue declines, the company is trading at a price-to-book ratio of 1.36, which could suggest that the stock is reasonably valued relative to its net assets. It's also worth noting that the company is trading at a high EBIT valuation multiple, which investors may want to consider in the context of its future earnings potential.
For those looking to delve deeper into Huntsman's financials and future prospects, there are additional InvestingPro Tips available on the platform. By using the promo code PRONEWS24, readers can get an additional 10% off a yearly or biyearly Pro and Pro+ subscription, granting access to a comprehensive set of tools and insights to aid in investment decisions.
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