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Beer Demand Slumps, Margins Squeezed: Why This Analyst Still Likes Constellation
Benzinga· 2025-06-25 19:43
Core Viewpoint - Needham analyst Gerald Pascarelli has reiterated a Buy rating on Constellation Brands, Inc. but has lowered the price forecast from $215 to $195, anticipating a weak start to fiscal year 2026 with first-quarter results expected on July 1 [1][3]. Group 1: Financial Performance Expectations - Pascarelli predicts that Constellation Brands will report beer revenue and margins below the lower end of full-year guidance, which may negatively impact Street estimates [1]. - The analyst has reduced his first-quarter earnings per share (EPS) estimate to $3.20, and lowered fiscal year 2026 and fiscal year 2027 EPS estimates to $12.64 and $13.76, respectively [3][5]. - The price forecast of $195 implies a ~20% discount to the company's historical average multiple of ~14x [3]. Group 2: Market Trends and Challenges - Over the past three months, beer volumes have declined sequentially, with a forecasted beer depletion of -3.0%, which is 120 basis points below the -1.8% consensus [2][4]. - Volume trends have weakened since February due to category softness, ongoing consumer challenges, and poor weather in May and early June [3]. - Increased investment spending, particularly in marketing (estimated at 9.5% of sales), along with volume pressure, contributes to a forecasted beer margin of 38.0%, notably below the Street's 39.8% [4]. Group 3: Segment Performance and Guidance - Pascarelli is 10 points below consensus on wine and spirits revenue, expecting a ~30% organic decline, with the Svedka divestiture contributing to a ~5-point hit [5]. - The analyst models a 70% drop in segment operating income due to volume deleverage and distributor repayments [5]. - Despite a weak start to fiscal year 2026, the initial beer guidance was conservative enough to allow the company to meet its full-year targets, with management typically avoiding guidance revisions in the first quarter [6].
Stock Of the Day: Will Molson Coors Finally Reverse?
Benzinga· 2025-06-25 19:23
Core Viewpoint - Molson Coors Beverage Company is experiencing a potential reversal after a prolonged downtrend, with shares consolidating around the $48 level, indicating a possible bullish setup [1][6]. Group 1: Stock Performance - The shares of Molson Coors have found support at approximately $48.30, a level that also served as support in August [5]. - The stock is currently considered oversold, which often leads to a rebound when it reaches support levels [1][4]. Group 2: Market Dynamics - Oversold conditions occur when a stock's price drops below its typical trading range due to aggressive selling, attracting buyers anticipating a price increase [3]. - The presence of a large number of buy orders at the support level indicates strong buying interest, which can absorb supply and halt further declines [4][6]. Group 3: Investor Behavior - Traders who previously sold shares at higher prices may be looking to repurchase at the current support level, contributing to the formation of support [5][6]. - The combination of being oversold and at a support level suggests that Molson Coors may be poised for a rally [6].
Did The FDA Make A Mistake? Sarepta's Elevidys Approval Under Scrutiny
Benzinga· 2025-06-25 18:06
Core Viewpoint - The FDA is investigating the risk of acute liver failure associated with Sarepta Therapeutics' Elevidys treatment, which has resulted in serious outcomes including hospitalization and death [1][2]. Group 1: FDA Investigation - The FDA has received two reports of fatal acute liver failure in non-ambulatory pediatric male patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) following treatment with Elevidys [2]. - The agency is evaluating the need for further regulatory action based on these reports [1]. Group 2: Patient Outcomes - In the reported cases, patients exhibited elevated transaminases and were hospitalized within two months after receiving Elevidys [3]. - Both fatalities appear to be directly related to the treatment with Elevidys [2]. Group 3: Analyst Reactions - HC Wainwright has reiterated a Sell rating for Sarepta, maintaining a price forecast of $10, citing the likelihood of the FDA requiring updated warnings regarding liver failure or death [4]. - The worst-case scenario for Sarepta would involve the FDA mandating the withdrawal of Elevidys from the U.S. market [4][5]. Group 4: Company Valuation - If Elevidys were to be withdrawn, analysts believe there would be little intrinsic value remaining in Sarepta [5]. - The skepticism from FDA officials regarding the initial approval of Elevidys suggests potential challenges for the company's continued marketing efforts [6]. Group 5: Stock Performance - Following the news, Sarepta's stock (SRPT) has seen a decline of approximately 9.96%, trading at $17.09 [6].
Why Is Nektar Therapeutics Stock Trading Higher On Wednesday?
Benzinga· 2025-06-25 17:42
Core Insights - Nektar Therapeutics released statistically significant data from the 16-week induction period of the Phase 2b REZOLVE-AD study for the investigational drug rezpegaldesleukin, achieving its primary endpoint in improving the Eczema Area and Severity Score (EASI) compared to placebo [1][2]. Group 1: Study Results - All three dose arms of rezpegaldesleukin showed statistical significance at week 16 for key secondary endpoints, including EASI-75, EASI-50, and Body Surface Area (BSA) score improvements [2]. - Patients treated with rezpegaldesleukin experienced a 53% to 61% improvement in symptoms, while the placebo group showed a 31% improvement [3]. Group 2: Comparative Analysis - The efficacy of rezpegaldesleukin appears comparable to the OX40 drug class but is numerically lower than Dupixent in Phase IIb programs [3]. - High frequencies of injection site reactions (30% to 40%) for rezpegaldesleukin could pose a commercial liability compared to Dupixent, which has lower reaction rates [3]. Group 3: Future Outlook - If rezpegaldesleukin demonstrates a remittive effect, it may reduce injection site reactions, but further updates are needed, with maintenance data expected in early 2026 and off-treatment results in 2027 [4]. - The stock reaction, which saw a rise of approximately 135%, is viewed as a normalization event rather than a reflection of a differentiated asset, with shares trading around the company's current cash levels [5].
This Isn't Your Father's BlackBerry, And Its Comeback Is Gaining Traction
Benzinga· 2025-06-25 17:40
Core Viewpoint - BlackBerry shares surged significantly after the company reported better-than-expected first-quarter financial results and raised its fiscal 2026 sales guidance [1][3]. Financial Performance - BlackBerry reported quarterly earnings of $0.02 per share, surpassing the analyst consensus estimate of $0.00 [1]. - Quarterly revenue reached $121.7 million, exceeding the Street estimate of $112.18 million [1]. - QNX revenue increased by 8% to $57.5 million, while Secure Communications revenue exceeded guidance at $59.5 million [2]. Fiscal Guidance - The company affirmed its fiscal 2026 adjusted EPS guidance of $0.08 to $0.10 [3]. - Fiscal 2026 revenue guidance was raised from $504 million-$534 million to $508 million-$538 million, compared to the $513.51 million estimate [3]. Analyst Reactions - RBC Capital analyst Paul Treiber maintained a Sector Perform rating and slightly increased his price forecast from $3.75 to $4, noting strong revenue from Secure Communications and QNX segments [4]. - Canaccord Genuity analyst Kingsley Crane maintained a Hold rating while modestly increasing the price forecast from $4.25 to $4.60, highlighting strong IoT results [5][6]. Market Outlook - Analysts noted that the raised fiscal 2026 guidance remains conservative due to uncertainties in the automotive sector and broader macroeconomic conditions [5][11]. - A backlog of approximately $865 million in QNX presents significant revenue opportunities, though clarity on timing for revenue recognition remains a concern [9][10]. Strategic Initiatives - The company is positioned for substantial expansion in the general embedded opportunity, which represents 43% of the overall pipeline for Software-Defined Vehicle 8.0 [12]. - Management's tone has improved, indicating a more optimistic outlook for the business compared to the previous year [11].
Acuity Gears Up For Q3 Print; These Most Accurate Analysts Revise Forecasts Ahead Of Earnings Call
Benzinga· 2025-06-25 17:24
Group 1 - Acuity Inc. is set to release its third-quarter earnings results on June 26, with expected earnings of $4.43 per share, a significant increase from $0.62 per share in the same period last year [1] - The company projects quarterly revenue of $1.15 billion, a decrease from $6.81 billion a year earlier [1] Group 2 - In the fiscal second quarter of 2025, Acuity Brands reported net sales growth of 11.1% year over year, totaling $1.01 billion, which fell short of the analyst consensus estimate of $1.03 billion [2] - Following the earnings report, Acuity shares increased by 1.3%, closing at $284.44 [2] Group 3 - Analyst Timothy Wojs from Baird maintained a Neutral rating and raised the price target from $295 to $315 [5] - Wells Fargo analyst Joseph O'Dea kept an Equal-Weight rating and increased the price target from $275 to $285 [5] - Oppenheimer analyst Christopher Glynn maintained an Outperform rating and raised the price target from $370 to $380 [5]
BlackBerry Analysts Boost Their Forecasts After Upbeat Earnings
Benzinga· 2025-06-25 17:23
Group 1 - BlackBerry Limited reported better-than-expected first-quarter results, with earnings of $0.02 per share and revenue of $121.7 million, surpassing analyst estimates of $0.00 and $112.18 million respectively [1] - CEO John J. Giamatteo highlighted the strong performance of the QNX and Secure Communications divisions, which exceeded both revenue and profitability expectations [2] - The company affirmed its fiscal 2026 adjusted EPS guidance of $0.08 to $0.10 and raised its revenue guidance to a range of $508 million to $538 million, compared to the previous estimate of $504 million to $534 million [2] Group 2 - Following the earnings announcement, BlackBerry shares increased by 14.7%, trading at $4.9649 [3] - Analysts adjusted their price targets for BlackBerry, with Baird raising it from $4 to $5, Canaccord Genuity from $4.25 to $4.6, and RBC Capital from $3.75 to $4 [5]
Tesla Robotaxi Scaling Growth Will Be Slow In Near Term: Goldman Sachs
Benzinga· 2025-06-25 17:15
Core Viewpoint - Goldman Sachs analyst Mark Delaney maintains a Neutral rating on Tesla Inc with a price forecast of $285, highlighting the company's recent launch of robotaxi operations in Austin, Texas, which began on June 22 for a small group of early access users [1][2]. Group 1: Robotaxi Launch Insights - Tesla's initial fleet for the robotaxi service is expected to consist of 10-20 Model Y vehicles, indicating a cautious approach to scaling operations [1]. - The launch is seen as a sign of progress in Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology, although scaling is expected to be slow in the near term [2][6]. - Early performance of the rides shows good drive smoothness, but there are concerns regarding navigation issues, such as improper use of a left turn lane [3]. Group 2: Comparison with Competitors - Tesla's robotaxi service operates under more limited conditions compared to Waymo, which operates 24/7 in approximately 37 square miles of Austin, while Tesla is restricted to 6 a.m. to midnight in a smaller area [4]. - The service is currently available only to a select group of early-access users, contrasting with Waymo's availability to all users on the Uber app [5]. Group 3: Pricing and Revenue Projections - Tesla charges a flat fee of $4.20 for its rides, while Waymo's pricing is variable and shown at the time of booking through the Uber app [5]. - Delaney estimates the demand for autonomous vehicle rideshare in the U.S. will reach about $7 billion by 2030 and projects Tesla's fiscal 2025 revenue at $89.5 billion with an EPS of $1.10 [7].
Prime Time For Amazon? JPMorgan Says Your $139 Could Be Worth $1,430
Benzinga· 2025-06-25 17:09
Core Insights - Amazon's stock may face challenges in 2025, but JPMorgan remains optimistic about the company's Prime subscription service, projecting a price target of $240, indicating a potential 13% increase from current levels [1] Subscription Value - The estimated annual value of a U.S. Prime subscription is now $1,430, which is over 10 times its cost of $139, reflecting a 6% increase from 2024 and more than double the value from 2016 [2] - Amazon has achieved record fulfillment speeds, with over 9 billion same-day/one-day deliveries in 2024 [2] Bundling and Offerings - Prime now includes a wide range of services such as Grubhub+, grocery delivery, Prime Video, music, and photo storage, positioning it as a comprehensive service compared to competitors like Apple One [3] Future Pricing Strategy - A price increase for Prime is anticipated in 2026, following Amazon's historical pattern of raising prices every four years, with a potential $20 increase expected to generate an additional $3 billion in annual sales [3] Competitive Landscape - Despite competition from Walmart+, Costco, and Apple One, Prime is viewed as the leading value proposition, with global membership expected to approach 350 million by 2025, indicating significant growth potential [4] - The subscription model is described as a strong growth engine for Amazon, reinforcing the notion that Prime is a valuable investment opportunity [4]
This Defense Tech Innovator Just Crushed Earnings: What's Next?
Benzinga· 2025-06-25 17:05
Core Viewpoint - Stifel analyst Jonathan Siegmann maintains a Buy rating on AeroVironment, Inc. with a price target of $240, following the company's strong fourth-quarter results that exceeded analyst expectations in both earnings and revenue [1][2]. Financial Performance - AeroVironment reported quarterly earnings of $1.61 per share, surpassing the consensus estimate of $1.42 [1]. - Quarterly revenue reached $275.05 million, exceeding the Street estimate of $242.69 million [1]. - Adjusted EBITDA was $62 million, representing a margin of 22.4%, which was above Siegmann's estimate of $53 million and the consensus of $55 million [4]. Revenue Drivers - The outperformance in the quarter was primarily driven by stronger-than-expected revenue from Loitering Munitions (LMS), which totaled $138 million, significantly higher than the forecast of $95 million [3]. - The company’s management provided fiscal year 2026 guidance that aligned with previous projections, indicating confidence in future performance [3]. Strategic Insights - The planned increase in capital expenditure is viewed positively, as it is expected to enhance organic growth in next-gen defense technology [4]. - The recent merger with BlueHalo is anticipated to expand AeroVironment's capabilities in critical defense areas such as space, counter-drone systems, and missiles, which are priorities for the Department of Defense [6]. Market Reaction - Following the earnings report, AeroVironment's shares increased by 21.6%, trading at $234.97 [7].