On Wednesday, BofA Securities made a notable change in their stance on shares of Chewy Inc . (NYSE:CHWY), upgrading the stock from Underperform to Buy and raising the price target significantly to $40.00, up from the previous target of $24.00. The revision comes amid observations of improving trends within the pet industry and Chewy's own performance metrics.
The analyst at BofA Securities pointed out that despite a net increase in pets being taken in by shelters and a year-over-year decline in pet spend, according to Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) aggregated credit and debit card data, adoption trends have been on the rise since the beginning of 2024. Moreover, pet spending appears to have reached a low point, suggesting the potential for a rebound.
Looking ahead, the analyst cited easier comparisons in the first half of 2025 and insights from a recent pet expert call to support the belief that the industry could return to a consistent low-single-digit to mid-single-digit percentage growth rate. This growth rate is in line with the average 4% year-over-year growth observed from 2011 to 2019, as per Bank of America card data.
A key factor contributing to the upgraded outlook is the significant acceleration in Chewy's web traffic, which experienced a 6% year-over-year increase in the fiscal third quarter, compared to an 11% decline in the first quarter. This uptick is seen as indicative of market share gains and the potential for a better-than-expected customer count, which is a crucial metric for the stock.
The analyst concluded their remarks by expressing confidence in the industry's ability to return to consistent growth and highlighted Chewy's performance as supportive of share gains and possibly exceeding expectations in customer acquisition.
In other recent news, Keith Gill, also known as Roaring Kitty, has liquidated his position in Chewy Inc., according to a recent U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing. Following this, several analyst firms have provided their insights on the company's latest developments.
Needham initiated coverage on Chewy with a hold rating, while TD (TSX:TD) Cowen initiated coverage with a buy rating, projecting a steady growth trajectory for the company. Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) maintained an overweight rating, projecting a higher than consensus EBITDA of $750 million for fiscal year 2025. Piper Sandler also reiterated an overweight rating, expressing confidence in Chewy's growth prospects.
In terms of financial performance, Chewy's second-quarter earnings and revenue exceeded Wall Street's forecast, with an EBITDA of $145 million and a 3% increase in net sales, reaching $2.86 billion. Chewy also made a $500 million public offering of its Class A common stock by BC Partners Advisors LP, along with an agreement to repurchase $300 million of its stock from the same entity.
These are recent developments that reflect Chewy's strategic focus on customer reactivation, app engagement, health services, and advertising. The company continues to expand its veterinary care services, opening two additional clinics in Colorado and Florida. Currently, Chewy's active customer base stands at 20 million, with the Net Sales Per Active Customer (NSPAC) climbing to $565.
InvestingPro Insights
The recent upgrade of Chewy Inc. (NYSE:CHWY) by BofA Securities aligns with several positive indicators from InvestingPro data. Chewy's market capitalization stands at $13.77 billion, reflecting its significant presence in the pet industry. The company's revenue growth of 4.36% over the last twelve months supports the analyst's view of potential industry recovery and Chewy's market share gains.
InvestingPro Tips highlight that Chewy's net income is expected to grow this year, which could be a result of the improving trends in pet adoption and spending noted by BofA Securities. Additionally, the company's strong return over the last month (13.39%) and three months (23.51%) aligns with the analyst's observation of accelerating web traffic and potential customer count growth.
It's worth noting that Chewy is trading at a high P/E ratio of 39.11, which investors should consider in light of the company's growth prospects. For those interested in a deeper analysis, InvestingPro offers 13 additional tips for Chewy, providing a more comprehensive view of the company's financial health and market position.
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