On Tuesday, Bunzl (OTC:BZLFY) Plc (BNZL:LN) (OTC: BZLFY) shares saw its price target increased by RBC Capital from GBP26.00 to GBP27.00. The firm maintained its Underperform rating on the stock. The adjustment comes after Bunzl completed recent mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and provided updated guidance in its second-quarter trading update.
RBC Capital's revised estimates for Bunzl anticipate a 6-7% increase in earnings per share (EPS) over the next few years. This forecast has led to a roughly 4% increase in the price target for the company's shares. The analyst noted the changes were made to reflect the company's recent M&A activities and the latest guidance issued.
Despite the uptick in the price target, RBC Capital expressed a cautious view on Bunzl's prospects. The firm pointed out that while Bunzl has a considerable history of EPS growth driven by its M&A strategy, the company's limited underlying organic growth could restrict its valuation.
Additionally, RBC Capital highlighted concerns about Bunzl's heavy exposure to the business-to-business-to-consumer (B2B2C) sector, which it deems relatively unattractive compared to other Business Services peers, especially given the current macroeconomic conditions.
The analyst from RBC Capital elaborated on the rationale behind the maintained Underperform rating, citing the company's performance and market position. "Despite BNZL's long track record of M&A-driven EPS growth, we believe limited underlying organic growth constrains the valuation and see the heavy B2B2C exposure as relatively unattractive vs. wider Business Services peers under current macro conditions," the analyst commented on Bunzl's strategic outlook.
Bunzl Plc specializes in the distribution of non-food consumable products, serving various sectors including grocery, foodservice, cleaning and hygiene, non-food retail, healthcare, and safety. The company's recent M&A activities are part of its long-term growth strategy, which has historically included a series of acquisitions.
InvestingPro Insights
In light of Bunzl Plc's recent price target update by RBC Capital, investors might find additional context from InvestingPro data and tips useful. Bunzl Plc, known for its consistent dividend payments, has raised its dividend for an impressive 45 consecutive years, indicating a strong commitment to returning value to shareholders. Additionally, the company's stock is characterized by low price volatility, which may appeal to risk-averse investors seeking stability in their portfolio.
From a valuation perspective, Bunzl is currently trading at a P/E ratio of 18.94, which is relatively high compared to its near-term earnings growth. This aligns with RBC Capital's concern about the company's valuation being constrained by limited underlying organic growth. Moreover, with a market capitalization of $12.62B USD and a revenue of $15039.07M USD for the last twelve months as of Q4 2023, Bunzl's size and revenue generation capabilities are significant factors for investors to consider.
For investors interested in a more in-depth analysis, InvestingPro offers additional tips on Bunzl Plc, including its moderate level of debt and the prediction by analysts that the company will remain profitable this year. To explore these valuable insights, visit https://www.investing.com/pro/BZLFY and remember to use the coupon code PRONEWS24 to get up to 10% off a yearly Pro and a yearly or biyearly Pro+ subscription. With numerous additional tips available on InvestingPro, investors can gain a comprehensive understanding of Bunzl's financial health and future prospects.
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