HSBC cuts KE Holdings stock price target to reflect lower target PE multiple
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On Friday, HSBC analyst Albert Tam adjusted the price target on KE Holdings (NYSE:BEKE), a leading real estate services company, to $21.80 from the previous $23.90. Despite the reduction, the firm reaffirmed its Buy rating on the stock.
The price target revision follows KE Holdings’ recent earnings report, which surpassed HSBC’s expectations by 8%. In addition to the earnings beat, KE Holdings announced a dividend of $0.351 and highlighted its commitment to shareholder returns through dividend and buyback strategies.
HSBC’s new price target is based on a reduced target price-to-earnings (PE) multiple of 17 times, down from the earlier 23 times. This multiple is in line with the average 2024/2025 PE ratio of China’s internet peers, applied to the average of HSBC’s non-GAAP earnings per share (EPS) estimates for 2024-2025 of RMB 8.92. The previous estimates were based on 2023-2024 non-GAAP EPS of RMB 7.57.
The revised target price suggests a potential upside of approximately 52% for KE Holdings’ shares. HSBC’s continued Buy rating indicates their confidence in the company’s performance despite the adjustment in valuation metrics.
HSBC also noted several downside risks for KE Holdings, which include potential commission rate cuts, a slower-than-anticipated recovery in property transactions, a correction in the US stock market, and broader macroeconomic and policy uncertainties.
InvestingPro Insights
Amidst the revised price target from HSBC, KE Holdings (NYSE:BEKE) presents a unique profile according to recent data from InvestingPro. The company holds a market capitalization of $17.4 billion, with a Price to Earnings (P/E) ratio standing at 21.13 as of the last twelve months ending Q4 2023. This aligns closely with HSBC’s applied PE multiple for their valuation. The firm’s revenue has also shown robust growth, with a 28.2% increase over the same period, indicating a strong performance that could justify investor confidence.
InvestingPro Tips highlight that KE Holdings is expected to see net income growth this year, which may be a contributing factor to HSBC’s continued Buy rating. Additionally, the company has been recognized for holding more cash than debt on its balance sheet, a sign of financial health that could mitigate some of the downside risks noted by HSBC. For investors looking for more insights, there are an additional 10 InvestingPro Tips available, providing a comprehensive analysis of KE Holdings’ financial health and market position.
Moreover, KE Holdings has demonstrated a significant return over the last week, with a price total return of 11.18%, which could capture the interest of short-term investors. For those considering a longer-term perspective, the company is trading at a low revenue valuation multiple, which could signal an attractive entry point for value investors.
Prospective and current investors can delve deeper into KE Holdings’ financials and market predictions with a subscription to InvestingPro. Utilize the coupon code PRONEWS24 to receive an additional 10% off a yearly or biyearly Pro and Pro+ subscription, providing access to exclusive insights that could inform smarter investment decisions.
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