On Wednesday, Stifel, a financial services firm, updated its outlook on Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL), increasing the company's price target to $135 from the previous $120. The firm maintains a Hold rating on the stock.
Oracle's recent performance revealed missed expectations on Wall Street benchmarks, yet the company's shares surged approximately 10% in after-hours trading. This jump was attributed to a significant acceleration in Remaining Performance Obligations (RPO) growth, which climbed to 44% year-over-year compared to 29% in the previous quarter.
Oracle's management has projected double-digit revenue growth for the fiscal year 2025. This optimistic forecast follows the company's successful signing of $12 billion in artificial intelligence contracts, a substantial leap over the $5 billion year-to-date figures from prior periods. These contracts are driven by heightened demand for infrastructure, underscored by notable deals with OpenAI and xAI, as well as a partnership with Google (NASDAQ:GOOGL).
The company's executives anticipate cloud infrastructure services revenue to outpace the 50% growth recorded in fiscal year 2024. Capital expenditures for fiscal year 2025 are expected to double year-over-year, with projections nearing $12 billion, marking a significant uptick from the $10 billion anticipated in the third quarter.
While recent trends in bookings and cloud service provider partnerships are likely to lead to an uptick in revenue growth, Stifel adopts a cautious stance due to the variability in recent guidance.
Despite this conservative approach, the firm notes that Oracle's stock, trading at $135 after-hours or nearly 37 times the price to free cash flow based on their calendar year 2025 estimate, suggests a strong market position. However, Stifel expresses a preference for Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), rated as Buy with a target price of $432.68, citing better valuation, growth prospects, and positioning in the long-term AI market.
In other recent news, Oracle Corporation witnessed a 20% increase in cloud revenue to $5.3 billion in the fourth quarter, although the total revenue of $14.29 billion fell short of analysts' expectations.
Evercore ISI raised its price target for Oracle to $160 from the previous $145, attributing this decision to Oracle's strengthening position in the public cloud market. Meanwhile, Deutsche Bank maintained a Buy rating with a steady price target of $150, and DA Davidson kept a neutral stance with a price target of $105.
Oracle has also recently announced strategic collaborations with OpenAI and Google Cloud, aiming to expand its cloud infrastructure services. The partnership with Google Cloud is set to integrate the full Oracle Database stack into Google Cloud Platform data centers, enhancing Oracle's ability to meet customer needs. Furthermore, Oracle is planning a potential collaboration with Elon Musk's xAI to construct a supercomputer by fall 2025.
InvestingPro Insights
Following Stifel's update on Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL), InvestingPro provides additional context that can help investors understand the company's financial position and market valuation. Oracle's market capitalization stands at a robust $340.49 billion, reflecting its significant presence in the software industry. The company's price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, according to the latest data, is 31.89, indicating a high valuation relative to near-term earnings growth. This aligns with Stifel's observation of the stock trading at a higher multiple. Oracle's revenue growth over the last twelve months was 9.49%, demonstrating its ability to expand its top-line figures.
InvestingPro Tips highlight Oracle's consistent performance in returning value to shareholders, having raised its dividend for 10 consecutive years. Moreover, the company's stock is noted for trading with low price volatility, which might appeal to investors looking for stable equity investments. For those interested in a deeper dive, InvestingPro offers additional insights on Oracle, including an analysis of its high EBITDA valuation multiple and its position as a prominent player in the software industry. Readers can explore further by visiting InvestingPro and can benefit from an additional 10% off a yearly or biyearly Pro and Pro+ subscription using the coupon code PRONEWS24. It's worth noting that there are 11 more InvestingPro Tips available for Oracle, providing a comprehensive analysis for informed investment decisions.
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