On Tuesday, DA Davidson adjusted its outlook on Toast Inc. (NYSE:TOST), reducing the price target to $44 from the previous $55, while keeping a Buy rating on the company's shares. The adjustment follows Toast's third-quarter earnings report, which showed total revenue surpassing DA Davidson's projections by 2% and adjusted EBITDA outperforming their expectations by 51%, which was also 44% higher than the consensus.
Toast's management reported an increase in the midpoints of their prior Non-GAAP FinTech & Subscription gross profit and adjusted EBITDA forecasts by 4% and 21%, respectively. This prompted the analyst to revise upward the annual forecasts for the years 2024 to 2026. Despite the price target reduction, the firm's stance on the stock remains positive.
The analyst's commentary highlighted the company's financial performance, noting that the third-quarter results were encouraging. The significant outperformance in adjusted EBITDA compared to both DA Davidson's and the consensus estimates suggests a stronger operational efficiency than anticipated.
Following the release of the updated guidance from Toast's management, DA Davidson has shown confidence in the company's growth trajectory by maintaining a Buy rating. The firm believes that the adjustments made to the financial forecasts reflect Toast's potential in the coming years.
The new price target of $44, down from $55, signals a recalibration of expectations in line with the latest financial data and market conditions. Despite the reduction, the target still implies an optimistic view of Toast's market position and its ability to generate profit.
In other recent news, Toast Inc. showcased a robust Q3 performance, leading to an upgraded outlook for the full year. The cloud-based restaurant software company reported a significant expansion with approximately 7,000 net new locations, a 28% year-over-year increase, bringing the total to nearly 127,000. Recurring gross profit streams grew by 35%, with adjusted EBITDA reaching $113 million and GAAP operating income hitting $34 million.
Mizuho (NYSE:MFG) Securities, following these developments, increased its price target for Toast Inc. from $33.00 to $40.00, maintaining an Outperform rating. This positive adjustment reflects the company's ability to raise its annual recurring non-GAAP Gross Profit forecast from 27-29% to 32-33%, a testament to its operational strength.
In addition to financial growth, Toast launched new customer engagement products and expanded into food and beverage retail and international markets, including a partnership with Potbelly (NASDAQ:PBPB) Sandwich Works. However, operational expenditures increased by 11% due to investments in sales, marketing, and research and development. For the full year, Toast projects an adjusted EBITDA between $352 million to $362 million, reflecting a 26% margin.
InvestingPro Insights
Recent data from InvestingPro adds depth to Toast Inc.'s financial picture. The company's market capitalization stands at $21.56 billion, reflecting its significant presence in the fintech sector. Toast's revenue for the last twelve months as of Q3 2024 reached $4.66 billion, with a robust revenue growth of 29.5% over the same period. This aligns with DA Davidson's positive outlook on the company's growth trajectory.
InvestingPro Tips highlight that Toast's net income is expected to grow this year, and analysts predict the company will be profitable this year. These insights support DA Davidson's decision to maintain a Buy rating despite lowering the price target. Additionally, the stock has shown strong performance, with a remarkable 168.96% price total return over the past year and is currently trading near its 52-week high.
It's worth noting that InvestingPro offers 15 additional tips for Toast, providing investors with a comprehensive analysis of the company's financial health and market position. For those seeking a deeper understanding of Toast's investment potential, exploring these additional insights on InvestingPro could prove valuable.
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