On Tuesday, Williams Trading affirmed a Buy rating on Crocs , Inc. (NASDAQ:CROX) with a steady price target of $163.00. The firm's analyst highlighted the brand's ongoing momentum and increased the fiscal year 2024 revenue forecast for Crocs from 8% to 9%.
However, the revenue projection for HEYDUDE, another brand under the Crocs umbrella, was slightly lowered from an 8% decline to an 8.7% decrease.
"Crocs brand momentum continues to improve, driven by collaborations, licenses, and international growth," the analysts said.
Limited-edition collaborations and licensed footwear are creating a 'halo effect' for the brand's classic styles, which consumers often customize with Jibbitz to mimic the look of these special editions. The upcoming launch of the Crocs' Echo Wave Mule and Echo Surge Sneaker next spring is also expected to contribute positively to the brand's performance.
The reintroduction of the Bae platform clog in the coming spring is anticipated to generate additional sales. The analyst notes that the Croctober event has had a strong start, with new releases such as Pet-Crocs and collaborations with the musical "Wicked".
Despite the challenges within the wholesale accounts for HEYDUDE, recent partnerships with celebrities Sidney Sweeney and Jelly Roll, along with the introduction of new styles like the Wally and Wendy Comf, suggest a potential rebound for the brand heading into 2025. This focus on HEYDUDE could put pressure on competitors such as Vans (VFC-Sell-$10 PT) and other casual canvas footwear brands.
"Regardless, it's essential, in our view, for the long term health of the brand, that sales growth is planned in measured manner, with demand analytics driving product placement. Expansion to get shelf space, which got out of control in late 2022 and early 2023 cannot, in our view, occur again anywhere," the analysts added
In other recent news, Baird maintained its positive stance on the company, foreseeing an encouraging third-quarter earnings report and potential for robust growth in 2025. Guggenheim also expressed confidence in the Crocs brand, highlighting its resilience and underappreciated free cash flow. The firm projected earnings per share for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 at $12.90 and $14.00, respectively.
Piper Sandler maintained an Overweight rating on Crocs, emphasizing strong August sales and potential growth in China.
BofA Securities reiterated a Buy rating, noting the company's consistent performance and attractive valuation.
InvestingPro Insights
To complement the analysis provided by Williams Trading, recent data from InvestingPro offers additional insights into Crocs' financial performance and market position. The company's market capitalization stands at $8.21 billion, reflecting its significant presence in the footwear industry.
Crocs' P/E ratio of 10.36 and adjusted P/E ratio of 9.77 for the last twelve months as of Q2 2024 suggest that the stock may be undervalued relative to its earnings potential. This aligns with an InvestingPro Tip indicating that Crocs is "trading at a low P/E ratio relative to near-term earnings growth." The company's PEG ratio of 0.42 further supports this view, potentially indicating an attractive valuation considering its growth prospects.
The company's financial health appears robust, with an InvestingPro Tip noting that "liquid assets exceed short term obligations." This is particularly important given the company's focus on expansion and new product launches mentioned in the article. Additionally, Crocs "operates with a moderate level of debt," which could provide flexibility for future investments in brand collaborations and international growth initiatives.
Crocs' revenue growth of 4.35% over the last twelve months and a quarterly growth of 3.65% in Q2 2024 demonstrate the company's ability to maintain positive momentum, supporting the analyst's optimistic outlook on the brand's performance. The strong EBITDA growth of 9.04% over the last twelve months also indicates improving operational efficiency.
For investors seeking more comprehensive analysis, InvestingPro offers 11 additional tips for Crocs, providing a deeper understanding of the company's financial position and market performance.
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