Deutsche Bank has adjusted its outlook on Estee Lauder (NYSE:EL) shares, lowering the price target to $105 from $108 while maintaining a Hold rating on the stock. The New York Stock Exchange-listed company (NYSE: EL) is currently in the midst of executive transitions, including a CFO succession and a search for a new CEO ahead of Fabrizio Freda's planned retirement at the end of fiscal year 2025.
The company's Profit Recovery and Growth Plan (PRGP) is reportedly on track, with expectations to deliver between $1.1 and $1.4 billion in net profit over fiscal year 2024 levels. This projection comes despite anticipated setbacks in fiscal year 2025 due to declining sales in China and Travel Retail, increased incentive compensation, and other elective reinvestments.
The analyst expressed concern that the combination of management changes and a difficult demand environment could hinder the realization of the PRGP's benefits. There is also skepticism regarding Estee Lauder's optimistic outlook for the U.S. market, despite a slight improvement against a weakening market in July.
Meanwhile, financial analysts from Evercore ISI and DA Davidson have both revised their price targets for the company, reducing them to $130 from $180 and $191 respectively. Despite this, both firms maintain a positive outlook on Estee Lauder, with Evercore ISI keeping an Outperform rating, and DA Davidson maintaining a Buy rating.
Estee Lauder's fourth-quarter fiscal year 2024 results exceeded expectations, particularly in travel retail, which saw an increase of over 40% due to re-stocking efforts in Asian markets. However, the company's forecast for the first quarter of fiscal year 2025 fell short of analyst expectations. DA Davidson has revised its earnings per share (EPS) estimate for Estee Lauder, reducing it by $1.28, or 30%, to $2.95.
The company reported a decline in organic sales and adjusted operating margin for fiscal year 2024 but has outlined a strategic plan for future growth. Estee Lauder is focusing on high-end fragrances, online channels, and precision marketing. The company is implementing its Profit Recovery and Growth Plan (PRGP) despite challenges in the Chinese and Asian travel retail markets.
CEO of Estee Lauder, Fabrizio Freda, has announced his intention to retire, initiating a search for a successor. The company's future plans include the launch of the Balmain Beauty brand and expansion of its luxury portfolio. It also intends to build a distribution center in Hainan to improve stock normalization in travel retail.
InvestingPro Insights
As Estee Lauder navigates through its executive transitions and implements its Profit Recovery and Growth Plan, investors and analysts are keeping a close eye on its financial metrics and market performance. According to InvestingPro data, Estee Lauder has a market capitalization of $33.31 billion and is trading at a high earnings multiple with a P/E ratio of 53.38. The company's gross profit margins are impressive at 70.77% for the last twelve months as of Q3 2024, which underscores its ability to maintain profitability despite market challenges.
InvestingPro Tips indicate that Estee Lauder has raised its dividend for 3 consecutive years, showcasing a commitment to returning value to shareholders. Additionally, the company has maintained dividend payments for 29 consecutive years, which could be a testament to its financial resilience and long-term strategy. However, analysts have revised their earnings downwards for the upcoming period, and the stock price has experienced a significant decline over the last three months, dropping by 28.81%. These factors may weigh on investor sentiment as they assess the company's future prospects.
For investors looking for deeper insights, there are additional InvestingPro Tips available that could provide further context on Estee Lauder's financial health and market position. Access to these tips can be found on the InvestingPro platform at https://www.investing.com/pro/EL, offering a comprehensive analysis for those considering an investment in the company.
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