On Monday, Stifel, a full-service brokerage and investment banking firm, adjusted its price target on Gaming and Leisure (NASDAQ:GLPI) shares, increasing it to $57.50 from the previous target of $53.25. The firm has also reaffirmed its Buy rating on the stock.
The adjustment comes with the firm's review of its future earnings forecasts for Gaming and Leisure. Stifel has decided to maintain its 2024 adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) estimate for the company at $3.76. Additionally, the firm has updated its 2025 AFFO estimate to $3.91, a slight rise from the earlier $3.88 estimate. Looking further ahead, the 2026 AFFO estimate has been revised to $4.11 from the former estimate of $3.93.
The analyst at Stifel noted the basis for these adjustments, stating, "Adjusting Estimates. We are maintaining our 2024 AFFO estimate of $3.76 and adjusting our 2025 AFFO estimate to $3.91 (from $3.88), and our 2026 AFFO estimate to $4.11 (from $3.93)."
The revised estimates are founded on what the firm describes as "pretty conservative assumptions" regarding the timing of the company's investments. This suggests that Stifel's outlook for Gaming and Leisure's financial performance is based on cautious investment timing expectations.
In other recent news, Gaming and Leisure Properties Inc. reported strong third-quarter performance in 2024, announcing nearly $2 billion in development activity planned for the coming year, yielding a notable 8.4%. The company's total income from real estate increased, driven by acquisitions, while operating expenses rose due to a provision for credit losses. The company provided an AFFO guidance range of $3.74 to $3.76 per diluted share for the year-end.
Deutsche Bank (ETR:DBKGn) upgraded Gaming and Leisure from Hold to Buy, setting a new price target of $54. The upgrade is based on the company's strong outlook, healthy pipeline of activities, well-positioned balance sheet, and robust tenant coverage positions. JMP Securities maintained its Market Outperform rating on the company, highlighting its strategic positioning, improved cost of capital, and pre-addressed funding requirements.
Despite a slightly decreased fourth-quarter earnings guidance to $0.93 due to a recent equity raise, Gaming and Leisure Properties remains strategically positioned to leverage tribal gaming opportunities. The company continues to focus solely on gaming, maintaining a target leverage range of 5 to 5.5, and using an ATM offering to prepare for future opportunities.
InvestingPro Insights
To complement Stifel's positive outlook on Gaming and Leisure Properties (GLPI), recent data from InvestingPro provides additional context for investors. GLPI's market capitalization stands at $14.07 billion, with a P/E ratio of 17.86, suggesting a moderate valuation relative to earnings. The company's revenue for the last twelve months as of Q3 2024 was $1.51 billion, with a notable revenue growth of 7.33% over the same period.
InvestingPro Tips highlight GLPI's impressive gross profit margins, which align with the reported gross profit margin of 94.91% for the last twelve months. This exceptional profitability supports Stifel's optimistic AFFO projections. Additionally, GLPI's stock is trading near its 52-week high, with a price that is 97.49% of its peak, potentially validating Stifel's increased price target.
It's worth noting that GLPI offers a dividend yield of 5.97%, which may attract income-focused investors. However, the dividend growth has seen a decline of 21.85% in the last twelve months, a factor that investors should consider alongside the positive earnings outlook.
For those seeking a more comprehensive analysis, InvestingPro offers 8 additional tips for GLPI, providing a deeper understanding of the company's financial health and market position.
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