On Wednesday, Oppenheimer maintained an Outperform rating on Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI) stock and increased the price target to $79 from the previous $76.
The adjustment follows a trading surge on Wednesday due to the company's reported earnings per share (EPS) for the third fiscal quarter of 2024, which surpassed consensus expectations, as well as favorable fourth-quarter guidance.
Johnson Controls has been transitioning into a technology-led solutions and services platform, and according to Oppenheimer, multiple factors are expected to drive this transformation in the upcoming quarters. These include a change in leadership and strategies designed to enhance profitability, especially after the company exits certain businesses.
The firm has introduced its fiscal year 2026 estimates, anticipating a relatively modest adjusted EPS growth for fiscal year 2025 based on a pro forma baseline. This expectation is attributed to the timing of divestitures. However, Oppenheimer projects an acceleration in growth for fiscal year 2026, which has contributed to the uplift in the price target for the company's shares.
The updated outlook on Johnson Controls reflects a positive view on the company's strategic moves and future financial performance, as it continues to evolve within its industry.
In other recent news, Johnson Controls International plc (JCI) revealed a solid financial performance for the third quarter of 2024, which exceeded expectations. The company reported an organic sales growth of 3% and a segment margin of 17.9%.
As part of a strategic shift, Johnson Controls is focusing on becoming a pure-play provider for commercial building solutions, particularly data centers, and has announced the divestiture of its Residential and Light Commercial HVAC and Air Distribution Technologies businesses.
In addition, the company has initiated a CEO succession plan, appointing Patrick Decker to its Board of Directors. Johnson Controls also anticipates tightening its full-year adjusted EPS guidance to a range of $3.66 to $3.69. Looking ahead, the company projects a 7% sales growth in Q4, with a segment EBITA margin of around 19% and an adjusted EPS of $1.23 to $1.26.
These recent developments underscore Johnson Controls' ongoing transformation, with the company focusing on growth in the service and digital offerings, expecting mid- to high-single-digit growth in service business and mid-single-digit growth in systems business.
The company is also navigating a period of strategic realignment, shedding some businesses to concentrate on core growth areas, particularly in the commercial building and data center sectors.
InvestingPro Insights
In light of the recent analysis by Oppenheimer, it's worth noting some key metrics and insights from InvestingPro that complement the firm's positive outlook on Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI). The company has a robust market capitalization of $47.79 billion, underscoring its significant presence in the market. Additionally, Johnson Controls has demonstrated a solid financial performance over the last twelve months, with a revenue of $26.93 billion and a gross profit margin of 32.93%, which are indicative of its operational efficiency and profitability.
InvestingPro Tips further reinforce the optimistic perspective. Johnson Controls has not only raised its dividend for 3 consecutive years, but it has also maintained dividend payments for an impressive 54 consecutive years, showcasing its commitment to shareholder returns. Furthermore, 5 analysts have revised their earnings upwards for the upcoming period, suggesting that the company's financial health is expected to improve.
For readers interested in deeper financial analysis and additional insights, there are over 8 more InvestingPro Tips available for Johnson Controls, which can be found at https://www.investing.com/pro/JCI. These tips and metrics collectively paint a picture of a company that is not only a prominent player in the Building Products industry but also one that is on a trajectory of sustained growth and profitability.
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