Pinterest shares remain a buy at RBC Capital, benefiting from higher ad engagement By Investing.com

On Thursday, RBC Capital maintained its Outperform rating on Pinterest Inc (NYSE:) with a steady price target of $48.00. The firm observed an uptick in the platform’s overall ad load compared to July, especially in secondary categories. The analysis also noted that Amazon (NASDAQ:)’s presence on Pinterest is growing, primarily through first-party (1p) rather than third-party (3p) ads.

RBC Capital’s analysis suggests that the increase in ad load has not negatively impacted user engagement. In fact, user engagement and cost per thousand impressions (CPMs) have shown improvements since the second quarter. The firm interprets the rise in Amazon’s activity on Pinterest as a positive sign, indicating that Amazon finds value in advertising on the platform and that this could potentially limit any downside to Pinterest’s financial projections.

The analyst’s commentary highlights the debate among investors regarding Amazon’s increased share of Pinterest’s ad space. Some view it optimistically, suggesting that Amazon’s involvement underscores the value it finds in Pinterest and acts as a buffer against financial risks. Others, however, speculate that Amazon may be stepping in to fill larger gaps in the auction market.

Despite the range of interpretations, RBC Capital remains positive about Pinterest’s outlook. The firm points to the platform’s direct links as a feature that adds value, which Pinterest will be able to monetize more effectively over time. This optimistic stance comes in the context of the company’s shares trading below 15 times its estimated 2025 enterprise value to EBITDA (EV/EBITDA), a valuation that RBC Capital suggests is attractive.

In other recent news, Pinterest Inc received an Overweight rating from Cantor Fitzgerald, indicating their confidence in the company’s robust financial outlook and upward revisions in its revenues and EBITDA for fiscal year 2025. The firm’s analysis also highlighted promising initiatives that are expected to contribute to Pinterest’s sustained growth.

Similarly, Piper Sandler maintained an Overweight rating on Pinterest’s shares while reducing the price target, noting the potential benefits of lower advertising pricing as Pinterest continues to introduce new products. In contrast, Loop Capital also recommended a Buy rating for Pinterest’s stock, despite a decrease in the price target from $49.00 to $39.00, citing the company’s long-term growth opportunity.

In recent developments, Pinterest announced an executive transition with Chief Product Officer Sabrina Ellis stepping down to assume an advisory role before leaving the company. This transition comes with a comprehensive severance package, including a cash payment of $600,000 and the vesting of 340,442 shares of restricted stock awards.

Analysts from various firms continue to highlight Pinterest’s potential for sustained revenue growth and margin expansion. This is despite the company’s third-quarter guidance falling short of expectations. Goldman Sachs commended Pinterest’s management strategies, including its moves towards advertiser vertical diversification and third-party partnerships, as key drivers for the platform’s long-term growth.

InvestingPro Insights

As Pinterest Inc (NYSE:PINS) garners an Outperform rating from RBC Capital, InvestingPro data and insights provide a deeper look into the company’s financial health and market sentiment. Notably, Pinterest’s market capitalization stands at $20.05 billion, reflecting its significant presence in the social media industry. The company’s P/E ratio, a measure of its current share price relative to its per-share earnings, is high at 102.57, but adjusted figures for the last twelve months as of Q2 2024 show a more moderate ratio of 66.59. This suggests that investors are pricing in future earnings growth.

Two InvestingPro Tips highlight key financial aspects for Pinterest. First, the company holds more cash than debt on its balance sheet, providing a solid foundation for operational flexibility and potential investments. Second, net income is expected to grow this year, signaling improving profitability which could be a catalyst for future stock performance. It’s also worth noting that while the stock is trading at a high earnings multiple, the PEG ratio for the last twelve months as of Q2 2024 is at 0.63, indicating that the company’s earnings growth may not be fully reflected in its current stock price.

For investors seeking additional insights, there are 14 more InvestingPro Tips available on InvestingPro that provide a comprehensive analysis of Pinterest’s financial metrics and market trends. These tips offer a valuable resource for those looking to make informed investment decisions in the context of Pinterest’s evolving market position.

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