On Thursday, Citi maintained its Neutral rating on Akamai Technologies (NASDAQ:AKAM) stock, with a consistent price target of $117.00. The firm's outlook follows Akamai's introduction of the CY24E Delivery trajectory, which showed modest growth and failed to impress, overshadowing stronger trends in other areas such as Security, Compute, EBIT, and Free Cash Flow (FCF).
The report noted that despite Akamai's shares facing neglect, there is potential for rejuvenation based on the current indifferent market sentiment. This sentiment stems from results that met expectations, including strategic pricing changes in the company's Delivery segment.
Citi also highlighted the potential upside in Akamai's Security segment in the second half of the year, citing factors such as the Guardicore renewal cycle and media reports on the Noname transaction published on April 13. These developments are anticipated to contribute positively to the company's performance.
Furthermore, there is a growing acknowledgment that the Delivery segment, which currently accounts for about 40% of Akamai's business compared to 60% three years ago, is becoming a smaller part of the company's overall operations. This shift in business composition is seen as a positive sign for Akamai's future.
The analysis concluded by pointing out Akamai's current earnings and FCF yield, which stands at 7%, suggesting that the company's financial health remains stable despite the challenges in the Delivery segment.
InvestingPro Insights
As Akamai Technologies (NASDAQ:AKAM) navigates its business trajectory, real-time data from InvestingPro provides a deeper look into the company's financial health and market performance. With a market capitalization of $15.66 billion and a P/E ratio that has adjusted to 25.71 from the last twelve months as of Q4 2023, Akamai shows a significant presence in its sector. The company's revenue growth has been steady, with a 5.4% increase over the last twelve months and a more substantial quarterly growth of 7.25% in Q4 2023.
InvestingPro Tips highlight that management's aggressive share buybacks and the upward revision of earnings by 11 analysts for the upcoming period could signal confidence in Akamai's strategy. Additionally, the company's low price volatility and strong cash flows, which can sufficiently cover interest payments, provide a degree of financial stability. It's noteworthy that Akamai's liquid assets exceed its short-term obligations, further underscoring its solid financial position.
For investors looking for additional insights, there are more InvestingPro Tips available, including analysis on the company's PEG ratio and price/book value. To access these tips and more, consider subscribing to InvestingPro using the coupon code PRONEWS24 for an additional 10% off a yearly or biyearly Pro and Pro+ subscription. With these resources at hand, investors can make more informed decisions regarding Akamai's potential for rejuvenation in the face of current market sentiment.
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