Jefferies cuts Daifuku stock price target to JPY3,800; keeps buy rating By Investing.com

On Tuesday, Jefferies adjusted its price target for Daifuku Co Ltd. (6383:JP) (OTC: DFKCY), a leading provider of material handling systems, reducing it to JPY3,800 from the previous JPY4,100. Despite the price target reduction, the firm has maintained a Buy rating on the stock.

The revision follows a reassessment of profit forecasts for Daifuku. Jefferies believes that the market has overreacted to the company’s announcement regarding changes in contracts for maintenance work at distribution centers, specifically those at airports in the United States, made by a major US e-commerce player.

Jefferies also sees potential for Daifuku to exceed its Operating Profit Margin (OPM) target during its Mid-Term Plan (MTP) period. The firm suggests that the recent decline in Daifuku’s share price has created an attractive entry point for investors.

The statement from Jefferies highlights a belief in the underlying value and performance potential of Daifuku despite the adjustments to contract terms by the unnamed US e-commerce giant. The firm’s outlook remains positive on the company’s financial targets.

Daifuku’s revised price target of JPY3,800 reflects Jefferies’ current valuation of the company after taking into account the recent developments and market response. The Buy rating indicates that the firm continues to see Daifuku as a favorable investment despite the recent challenges.

In other recent news, Daihatsu, a subsidiary of Toyota Motor (NYSE:) Corp, is planning to restart its vehicle development activities by year-end. This decision comes after the company faced a significant setback due to a testing scandal, where it was revealed that safety tests for approximately 88,000 small cars were falsified. The company’s president, Masahiro Inoue, is leading the recovery and growth efforts and has expressed optimism about the future.

These developments are part of Daihatsu’s strategy to address past issues and target emerging markets, particularly South America and Africa. Inoue emphasized the importance of these markets for the company’s development efforts over the next decade.

The company has confirmed that all but one of its models are now in compliance with domestic standards, and shipments have resumed. Inoue’s previous role as Toyota’s head of Latin America is expected to guide Daihatsu’s strategic approach in these key markets.

InvestingPro Insights

In light of Jefferies’ recent price target adjustment for Daifuku Co Ltd., InvestingPro provides additional insights that could help investors gauge the company’s financial health and market position. According to InvestingPro data, Daifuku has a market capitalization of $1.33 billion and is trading at a P/E ratio of 13.38, which is considered low relative to its near-term earnings growth. This aligns with the “InvestingPro Tip” highlighting that the company is trading at a low P/E ratio relative to near-term earnings growth, potentially signaling an undervalued stock to prospective investors.

Additionally, the company’s revenue for the last twelve months as of Q4 2023 stands at $1.25 billion, with a gross profit margin of 28.32%, indicating a strong ability to generate income relative to its revenue. Daifuku’s operating income margin for the same period is also robust at 8.03%, further underlining its profitability.

InvestingPro Tips suggest that Daifuku is not only a prominent player in the Electrical Equipment industry but has also maintained dividend payments for 33 consecutive years, which could be particularly attractive to income-focused investors. Furthermore, with a 1.95% dividend yield as of the last recorded date, the company shows a commitment to returning value to shareholders.

For those interested in deeper analysis, there are additional “InvestingPro Tips” available on InvestingPro’s platform, including insights into the company’s debt levels, liquidity, and historical returns. Investors can take advantage of these expert insights with an exclusive offer: use coupon code PRONEWS24 to get an additional 10% off a yearly or biyearly Pro and Pro+ subscription at https://www.investing.com/pro/6622. With a total of 11 additional “InvestingPro Tips” listed in InvestingPro, subscribers can gain a comprehensive understanding of Daifuku’s investment potential.

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