By Sam Boughedda
Snap (NYSE:SNAP) shares could have a modest near-term catalyst next week, according to Benchmark analysts.
The analysts said in a note to clients Tuesday that his firm's industry checks suggest the overhaul of SNAP's DR (direct response) business over the past six to 12 months is gaining favor with advertisers in testing.
"We hear SNAP's rebuilt DR stack is now optimized to a broader set of advertiser conversion models and producing more optimal outcomes," they wrote.
As a result, the analysts, who have a Hold rating on the stock, said the firm suspect SNAP's Partner Summit next week, April 19, will "showcase a much more robust DR stack which could be a modest near-term catalyst for the shares."
Despite the potential positive, Benchmarks's "data checks indicate DTC ad spending on social broadly went negative y/y shortly after the SVB crash and has yet to recover to the plus side y/y."
"While we continue to monitor this dynamic, we remain sidelined with a Hold rating as advertiser sentiment remains calm before the storm and SNAP's distant GAAP profitability leaves limited tangible support," they concluded.