On Wednesday, Piper Sandler increased its price target for Mondelez (NASDAQ:MDLZ) International shares on NASDAQ:MDLZ to $78.00, up from the previous $76.00. The firm has maintained an Overweight rating on the stock. This adjustment follows Mondelez's report of a better than expected second quarter 2024 earnings per share (EPS) and a slight increase in its revenue guidance for the year.
Mondelez's positive outlook is partly attributed to the anticipated recovery in the European Union and Mexico markets. The company is expected to move past recent disruptions, which included pricing negotiations in the EU and the suspension of government benefits in Mexico. These improvements are seen as pivotal for Mondelez to achieve its raised revenue targets.
In North America, Mondelez is implementing a new pricing and pack architecture strategy, introducing a $3-4 price point for popular products like Ritz, Oreo, and Chips Ahoy!. This approach is expected to improve the product mix, measured as price per serving, and to increase volumes by attracting consumers who may have previously turned away due to pricing.
Piper Sandler's optimism is also reflected in their revised earnings projections for Mondelez. The firm has raised its estimated EPS for the year 2024 from $3.47 to $3.58.
Furthermore, the forecast for the year 2025 has been adjusted from an EPS of $3.60 to $3.71. The new price target and EPS estimates indicate Piper Sandler's confidence in Mondelez's growth and performance for the second half of 2024 and beyond.
In other recent news, Mondelez International has been navigating market challenges while still reporting solid financial performance. DA Davidson recently adjusted its price target for Mondelez to $75 from $80, maintaining a Buy rating on the stock.
The revision reflects a conservative valuation approach due to market challenges, including high cocoa prices and pressure on snacking demand in North America.
On the earnings front, Mondelez reported strong profit growth and $1.5 billion in free cash flow. Despite a volume mix decline in developed markets, the company saw revenue growth, particularly in emerging markets and its core categories of chocolate, biscuits, and baked snacks.
The company remains optimistic about its outlook for the second half of the year, despite anticipating challenges from rising cocoa costs.
Strategic partnerships with Lotus Bakeries and BISCOFF were announced to co-brand chocolate products and expand the biscuit business in India. While the company anticipates top-line and volume growth in the second half of the year, it also expects challenges due to higher cocoa costs.
InvestingPro Insights
Mondelez International's strategic initiatives seem to be paying off, as reflected in their recent financial metrics. With a robust market capitalization of $89.94 billion, the company's P/E ratio stands at a healthy 23.05, indicating investor confidence in its earnings potential. This is further bolstered by an adjusted P/E ratio for the last twelve months as of Q1 2024, which shows an even more attractive figure of 16.92. Such a valuation could be appealing to investors looking for companies with reasonable earnings multiples.
InvestingPro Tips highlight that Mondelez's revenue growth remains positive, with a 9.85% increase over the last twelve months as of Q1 2024. Additionally, the company boasts a gross profit margin of 41.69% for the same period, underlining its ability to manage costs effectively and maintain profitability. These factors, combined with a dividend yield of 2.54% as of the latest dividend ex-date, make Mondelez an interesting consideration for income-focused investors.
For those seeking further insights, additional InvestingPro Tips are available, providing a deeper dive into Mondelez's financial health and market position. Remember to use coupon code PRONEWS24 to get up to 10% off a yearly Pro and a yearly or biyearly Pro+ subscription, which includes access to these valuable tips.
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