Jefferies starts ‘Buy’ on CGI Group, praises resilient growth strategy By Investing.com

On Tuesday, Jefferies initiated coverage on CGI Group (NYSE: NYSE:) stock, assigning a Buy rating to the IT services provider, with a price target set at $120.00. The firm underscored CGI’s resilient revenue growth amid the current economic downturn, projecting an improvement from low single-digit growth this year to mid-single-digit next year, and high single-digit the following year.

The analyst praised CGI Group for its distinctive go-to-market strategy and its well-distributed consulting and managed services offerings, which span various industries and geographical regions. Additionally, the firm commended CGI’s management for its disciplined approach to capital allocation, including its strategy for mergers and acquisitions.

CGI’s ability to maintain revenue growth during challenging economic conditions has been highlighted as a key strength. The company’s diversified offerings are seen as a stabilizing factor, providing services across different sectors and countries, which may help buffer against market volatility.

The firm’s positive outlook extends beyond immediate performance, anticipating a steady acceleration in CGI’s growth trajectory over the next few years. This projection is based on the company’s current business model and market position.

The endorsement from Jefferies reflects confidence in CGI Group’s potential for growth and profitability. The $120.00 price target suggests a favorable view of the company’s future financial performance and market value.

In other recent news, CGI Group Inc . has been the focus of financial discussions following its 2Q24 earnings report and subsequent stock price target cut by BMO Capital. The company’s revenues fell slightly short of expectations, while earnings per share (EPS) were slightly above. Key factors supporting the company’s profit margins include effective cost control measures and an increasing mix of intellectual property (IP).

Despite slower organic revenue growth, CGI Group’s financial performance remains resilient, thanks to its strategic focus on sectors that provide steady revenue and its ability to maintain margins. BMO Capital Markets continues to endorse the stock with an Outperform rating, indicating that CGI Group is expected to outpace the average market return within its industry over a set time horizon.

In addition, CGI Group reported a slight increase in revenue for the second quarter of fiscal year 2024, with a focus on expanding its digital services and exploring merger opportunities.

The company’s net earnings increased to CAD 427 million, and it is actively investing in artificial intelligence (AI). The company’s future expectations include driving revenue growth, setting up data strategies for future digital investments, and increasing R&D investments in AI.

InvestingPro Insights

In light of Jefferies’ optimistic outlook on CGI Group (NYSE: GIB), recent data and insights from InvestingPro further inform investors about the company’s financial position. CGI Group boasts a perfect Piotroski Score of 9, indicating a strong financial situation, which aligns with Jefferies’ confidence in the company’s resilience and growth potential. Additionally, CGI is recognized as a prominent player in the IT Services industry, with analysts predicting profitability for this year, and it has been profitable over the last twelve months. These attributes may contribute to the company’s ability to maintain revenue growth during economic downturns.

On the financial metrics side, CGI Group’s market capitalization stands at $22.43 billion, with a P/E ratio of 19.17, reflecting a premium valuation relative to near-term earnings growth. The company’s revenue growth over the last twelve months as of Q2 2024 was 5.87%, showcasing its ability to expand amidst challenging market conditions. Furthermore, CGI’s gross profit margin during the same period was a solid 30.69%, which supports the firm’s view of the company’s stable financial performance.

For investors seeking a deeper analysis, InvestingPro offers additional tips on CGI Group, which can be accessed at https://www.investing.com/pro/GIB. To enhance your investing strategy with these insights, use the coupon code PRONEWS24 to get up to 10% off a yearly Pro and a yearly or biyearly Pro+ subscription. There are 9 additional InvestingPro Tips available that could provide a more comprehensive understanding of CGI Group’s investment potential.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.