Loop Capital cuts Baidu shares target amid AI revenue transition By Investing.com

On Friday, Loop Capital adjusted its outlook on Baidu (NASDAQ:BIDU) shares, reducing the company’s price target to $130 from the previous $155, while still recommending a Buy rating.

The firm’s decision reflects a strategic shift by Baidu towards prioritizing its genAI search technology, which is expected to impact revenue streams as the company works towards monetization.

The reassessment by Loop Capital comes after Baidu’s stock experienced a 20% decline since the announcement of its first-quarter results. This downturn contrasts with a 4% rise in the S&P 500 over the same period.

According to Loop Capital, this reduction in Baidu’s stock price can be interpreted as a significant revaluation of the company’s enterprise value, taking into account its substantial net cash and investments, which amount to $76 per share.

Loop Capital has also revised its valuation multiples for Baidu, now applying a 5X earnings multiple for the core ads business, which includes the genAI search, and a 3X revenue multiple for the cloud services business.

Despite the recent volatility and underwhelming returns to shareholders, Loop Capital sees Baidu’s foray into AI as a potential catalyst for a more substantial revaluation in the future.

The firm acknowledges the challenges Baidu faces amidst a transition period that has made the stock less appealing to investors, especially when compared to other companies in the sector with more attractive valuations.

However, Loop Capital maintains a positive outlook on Baidu’s valuation and the expanding opportunities in AI, which may enhance the company’s market position in the long run.

In other recent news, Baidu Inc (NASDAQ:). has been the subject of several analyst notes. Susquehanna maintained a positive outlook on the company, despite a price target reduction to $135, citing potential long-term growth from AI technology amidst current macroeconomic challenges.

Meanwhile, Barclays retained an overweight rating on Baidu with a $133 target, noting resilience in the company’s Q1 performance and potential growth from its GenAI content integration.

UBS also adjusted Baidu’s price target to $165 while maintaining a buy rating, highlighting a projected 17.6% YoY growth in cloud revenue for 2024 and a significant increase in AI-related revenue. Jefferies echoed this sentiment, maintaining a buy rating with a $179 target, expressing confidence in Baidu’s AI technology and disciplined spending strategy.

Finally, CFRA held a steady $120 target on Baidu, adjusting its EPS estimates upwards for 2024 and 2025 based on a P/E ratio of 9.7x, while acknowledging the company’s progress with its AI model, ERNIE, and effective cost-cutting measures.

InvestingPro Insights

As Baidu (NASDAQ:BIDU) navigates through its strategic shift towards genAI technology, the company stands at a current market capitalization of $31.14 billion. With a forward-looking P/E Ratio adjusted for the last twelve months as of Q1 2024 at 11.46, Baidu presents a potentially attractive valuation for investors considering the company’s growth trajectory. The PEG Ratio during this period stands at 0.3, suggesting that Baidu’s stock price may not fully reflect its earnings growth potential.

On the financial health front, Baidu’s revenue growth of 6.77% over the last twelve months as of Q1 2024 indicates a steady upward trend. Additionally, the company maintains a robust gross profit margin of 51.71%, underscoring its efficiency in converting sales into profit. An InvestingPro Tip highlights the importance of a company’s ability to maintain high profit margins, especially during strategic transitions that may affect revenue streams.

For investors seeking further insights, InvestingPro offers additional tips on evaluating companies like Baidu during periods of strategic change. There are currently 15 additional InvestingPro Tips available, which can be accessed with a subscription. Readers of this article can use the coupon code PRONEWS24 to receive an additional 10% off a yearly or biyearly Pro and Pro+ subscription, providing a deeper dive into investment strategies and company analyses.

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