Aaron’s stock downgraded by Jefferies amid acquisition approval By Investing.com

On Wednesday, Aaron’s Inc. (NYSE:) experienced a change in its stock rating, as it was downgraded from “Buy” to “Hold” by a Jefferies analyst. Accompanying this downgrade was a reduction in the price target to $10.10, adjusted from the previous figure of $11.00.

The adjustment in the company’s stock outlook is linked to the recent approval of an acquisition by Aaron’s Board of Directors. The analyst noted that the offer price for the acquisition is proximate to their prior price target, which influenced the decision to alter the rating and price target.

The new price target of $10.10 represents a slight decrease from the former target of $11.00. This revised target is set based on the terms of the acquisition and the current valuation of Aaron’s shares.

The analyst’s statement clarified the reasoning behind the downgrade, stating, “Prior to the announcement of the acquisition our price target for AAN was $11.00/share. Given the approval of the acquisition by AAN’s Board of Directors, and considering the offer is within 10% of our PT, we downgrade AAN to ‘Hold’ and reset our price target at $10.10/share.”

In other recent news, Aaron’s Company experienced several significant developments. The company has agreed to be acquired by IQVentures Holdings, LLC in a cash transaction valued at $504 million.

This acquisition is expected to bolster Aaron’s omni-channel strategy and improve its financial position. Following the acquisition, Aaron’s will operate as a privately held entity, maintaining its brand identity and Atlanta headquarters.

Analysts from Loop Capital, Truist Securities, and TD Cowen have all adjusted their price targets for Aaron’s shares in line with the acquisition price of $10.10. Despite the company’s recent underperformance, the acquisition is seen as a logical step given the industry dynamics. The analysts have maintained a Hold rating on the stock, suggesting a neutral stance towards Aaron’s shares amidst the acquisition process.

In terms of earnings, Aaron’s first-quarter earnings for 2024 showed resilience and growth, despite a year-over-year decrease in consolidated revenues and adjusted EBITDA. The company raised its full-year outlook for non-GAAP diluted EPS, reflecting a lower estimated tax rate. TD Cowen revised its EPS estimates for Aaron’s for 2024 and 2025 to $0.25 and $0.84, respectively. These are the recent developments in Aaron’s Company.

InvestingPro Insights

In light of the recent downgrade of Aaron’s Inc. (NYSE:AAN) by a Jefferies analyst, investors may benefit from additional insights provided by InvestingPro. Aaron’s has demonstrated a commitment to shareholder returns, raising its dividend for three consecutive years—a sign of confidence in its financial stability. Moreover, the company’s liquid assets surpass its short-term obligations, suggesting a solid liquidity position.

InvestingPro Data shows a mixed financial performance for Aaron’s. While the company has not been profitable over the last twelve months, analysts are optimistic that it will return to profitability this year. The market cap stands at $314.91M with a forward P/E Ratio for Q1 2024 at 7.16, indicating potential undervaluation. Additionally, the stock has seen a strong return over the last month and three months, with price total returns of 25.7% and 43.27% respectively.

InvestingPro Tips highlight that despite a downward revision by five analysts for the upcoming period, the company’s shareholder yield and recent price performance may attract investors looking for value and growth potential. For those interested in further in-depth analysis and additional InvestingPro Tips, visit https://www.investing.com/pro/AAN and consider using the coupon code PRONEWS24 to get up to 10% off a yearly Pro and a yearly or biyearly Pro+ subscription. There are 7 more InvestingPro Tips available that could provide valuable guidance for your investment decisions.

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