Truist cuts Edwards Lifesciences stock target, but maintains Hold rating By Investing.com

Truist Securities has revised its price target for shares of Edwards Lifesciences (NYSE: NYSE:), a prominent medical equipment company, setting it at $71.00, a decrease from the previous target of $82.00.

The firm has decided to maintain a Hold rating on the stock.

The adjustment in price target comes after the completion of the sale of Edwards Lifesciences’ Critical Care division to Becton Dickinson (NYSE:) on September 3, 2024. Truist Securities’ new price target reflects a reevaluation of the company’s earnings per share (EPS) forecasts and takes into account the continuing operations of Edwards Lifesciences in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) and Transcatheter Mitral and Tricuspid Therapies (TMTT).

Additionally, the forecast incorporates minor revenue contributions from recent acquisitions, including JenaValve and Endotronix, which are expected to contribute less than 1% growth in 2025-2026.

The sale of the Critical Care division has prompted Truist Securities to reassess the financial outlook for Edwards Lifesciences. The firm’s analyst cited concerns about the impact of the sale on EPS and the dilution effects from recent acquisitions.

Despite these concerns, the Hold rating suggests Truist Securities believes that Edwards Lifesciences’ stock currently reflects an appropriate balance of risk and reward.

The analyst also noted that the potential for Edwards Lifesciences’ stock multiple to expand may be limited without increased confidence in revenue and EPS growth.

InvestingPro Insights

As Edwards Lifesciences (NYSE:EW) navigates the post-sale landscape of its Critical Care division and integrates new acquisitions, real-time data from InvestingPro provides additional context for investors considering the company’s stock. The company’s market capitalization stands at $41.04 billion, with a P/E ratio of 27.92, which adjusts to 23.47 when looking at the last twelve months as of Q2 2024. This suggests a relatively high valuation in the market, reflecting the sentiments echoed by Truist Securities.

An InvestingPro Tip notes that Edwards Lifesciences is trading at a high Price / Book multiple of 5.52, which aligns with the analyst’s views on the stock’s limited potential for multiple expansion. However, it’s worth noting that the company’s gross profit margin remains robust at 76.38%, and its operating income margin stands at 30.25%, indicating strong profitability in its ongoing operations. Furthermore, with a revenue growth of 19.3% in the last twelve months as of Q2 2024, Edwards Lifesciences is demonstrating its ability to grow despite recent divestitures and market challenges.

In terms of financial health, InvestingPro Tips highlight that the company’s cash flows can sufficiently cover interest payments and that its liquid assets exceed short-term obligations, which is crucial for maintaining operational stability. Additionally, there are 9 more InvestingPro Tips available that provide further insights into Edwards Lifesciences’ financial status and future prospects, which can be accessed on the InvestingPro platform.

Overall, these metrics and tips from InvestingPro offer a more nuanced view of Edwards Lifesciences’ financial health and market position, which could be invaluable to investors making informed decisions about the stock in light of recent developments and market dynamics.

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