On Monday, Baird reaffirmed its positive stance on Itron (NASDAQ:ITRI) shares, a technology company providing end-to-end solutions that help utilities measure, manage, and analyze energy and water use. The firm maintained an Outperform rating alongside a $132.00 price target for the stock.
The endorsement follows a recent investor webcast featuring Itron's CEO, Tom Deitrich, and CFO, Joan Hooper, who provided insights into the company's business outlook and relevant industry trends. According to Baird, Itron is experiencing benefits from secular drivers of load growth, partly attributed to the rise of AI and data centers, as well as from strategic internal initiatives.
Itron's focus on shifting towards higher-margin segments, specifically within its Networks and Outcomes business areas, was highlighted as a key factor in its positive trajectory. Baird emphasized that this strategic pivot is expected to bolster the company's financial performance going forward.
Moreover, the firm pointed to several potential catalysts that could further enhance Itron's long-term financial targets. These include an uptick in power demand forecasts, a recent acquisition within the Outcomes segment, and a quicker-than-anticipated rollout of government funding for infrastructure projects.
Baird's continued confidence in Itron is rooted in these developments, which are seen as drivers for the company's sustained growth and profitability in a market that is increasingly focused on efficient energy and water management.
In other recent news, Itron, Inc. reported a strong performance in its third quarter earnings call. The technology company revealed a 10% increase in revenue year-over-year, reaching $615 million, with an adjusted EBITDA of $89 million and non-GAAP earnings per share of $1.84.
The company's backlog has grown to $4 billion, with bookings of $487 million. Itron also projects its full-year revenue to be between $2.428 billion and $2.438 billion, marking a 12% increase from the previous year.
For the fourth quarter, Itron expects revenue between $600 million and $610 million. The company's non-GAAP earnings per share for the full year are anticipated to be $5.28 to $5.38, a significant 59% increase from 2023. Despite potential challenges in projecting growth for 2025, Itron remains optimistic about its market demand and operational efficiency.
The company is also actively pursuing M&A opportunities to strengthen its grid edge intelligence platform. These are among the recent developments in Itron's ongoing business operations.
InvestingPro Insights
Itron's (NASDAQ:ITRI) strong market position and strategic initiatives, as highlighted by Baird, are further supported by recent financial data and analyst insights from InvestingPro. The company's market cap stands at $5.36 billion, reflecting its significant presence in the energy and water management technology sector.
InvestingPro data reveals that Itron has demonstrated impressive financial performance, with a revenue growth of 16.53% over the last twelve months as of Q3 2024, reaching $2.41 billion. This aligns with Baird's positive outlook on the company's growth trajectory. The company's profitability is also noteworthy, with a gross profit margin of 34.17% and an operating income margin of 10.64% for the same period.
Two key InvestingPro Tips reinforce Itron's potential:
1. Itron is trading at a low P/E ratio relative to near-term earnings growth, with a PEG ratio of just 0.12, suggesting the stock may be undervalued considering its growth prospects.
2. The company has shown a strong return over the last year, with a one-year price total return of 78.71% as of the latest data.
These insights complement Baird's analysis of Itron's strategic shift towards higher-margin segments and the potential catalysts for growth. For investors seeking a deeper understanding of Itron's prospects, InvestingPro offers 8 additional tips, providing a comprehensive view of the company's financial health and market position.
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