StubHub Stock Jumps As Wall Street Analysts Offer Bullish Views Following Rough Debut

Core Viewpoint - StubHub's stock has seen a positive response from analysts following its IPO, with a majority recommending buy ratings despite initial trading struggles [1][2][3]. Analyst Coverage - At least 12 analysts have initiated coverage of StubHub, with 11 recommending buy-equivalent ratings and one maintaining a neutral stance [2]. - StubHub's stock rose nearly 5% to $19.82 after the initiation of coverage [2]. Stock Performance Post-IPO - StubHub's stock has faced challenges since its IPO on September 17, closing the first day 6% below the IPO price of $23.50 and down 20% from the IPO price by the end of the previous week [3]. - BofA analyst Justin Post set a buy rating with a price target of $25, indicating a more optimistic outlook compared to the stock's early performance [3]. Market Position and Growth Potential - StubHub is the largest secondary ticket marketplace in North America, holding close to 50% market share [4]. - Analysts expect strong revenue growth driven by the resale market, share gains, and new business initiatives, with BofA projecting a 29% revenue growth in 2024 [5]. - Evercore ISI analyst Mark Mahaney set a price target of $29, highlighting StubHub's robust financials and high gross margins of 81% in 2024 [5]. Direct Issuance Strategy - A key focus for StubHub is its ability to grow its direct ticket issuance business, which faces competition from major players like TicketMaster [7]. - The total addressable market for direct issuance and unsold tickets is estimated at $127 billion, compared to $30 billion for secondhand ticket sales [8]. - Analysts emphasize the importance of execution in expanding this segment over the next 12-24 months [8]. Company Background - StubHub was founded in 2000 and has undergone significant ownership changes, being acquired by eBay for $310 million in 2007 and later sold for approximately $4 billion to Viagogo in 2020 [9]. - The company reported a revenue increase of 29.5% in 2024, reaching $1.77 billion, with a net loss of $22.2 million in Q1 of this year [10].