Selected stock price target news of the day - January 27th, 2025

By: Matthew Otto

American Express Reports Results for FY 2024 and Outlines FY 2025 Guidance

American Express reported its performance for FY 2024, with diluted earnings per share (EPS) rising 25% to $14.01, compared to $11.21 in FY 2023. Net income increased to $10.1 billion, up 21% year-over-year.

Total revenues net of interest expense grew 9% to $65.9 billion, or 10% on an FX-adjusted basis, driven by higher card member spending, increased net interest income, and growth in card fees. Billed business, a key indicator of cardholder spending, rose 6% for the full year to $1.55 trillion, with performance in the travel and entertainment sector, where airline spending increased 13% in Q4.

For Q4 2024, the company reported diluted EPS of $3.04, exceeding analyst estimates of $3.02 by $0.02. Quarterly revenue was $17.18 billion, above the consensus estimate of $17.14 billion. Billed business grew 8% during the holiday season. Additionally, FY 2025 guidance projected a revenue growth of 8% to 10% and EPS between $15.00 and $15.50, below its long-term target of 10% revenue growth.

Analysts React to Results with Mixed Target Adjustments

Morgan Stanley analyst Betsy Graseck maintained an Equal-Weight rating and raised the price target from $305 to $310.
BTIG analyst Vincent Caintic increased the price target from $270 to $272.
Compass Point analyst David Rochester lowered the price target to $309.
Keefe, Bruyette & Woods analyst Sanjay Sakhrani boosted the price target from $350 to $360.

Which Analyst has the best track record to show on AXP?

Analyst Saul Martinez (HSBC) currently has the highest performing score on AXP with 3/3 (100%) price target fulfillment ratio. His price targets carry an average of $0.89 (0.33%) potential upside. American Express stock price reaches these price targets on average within 27 days.

Meta Unveils AI Investment Strategy for 2025

Meta revealed plans to allocate $60 billion to $65 billion in capital expenditures for 2025, emphasizing commitment to artificial intelligence development.

This investment includes the construction of a massive data center, described as being large enough to cover a significant part of Manhattan, designed to power Meta’s AI offerings. By the end of 2025, Meta expects to have over 1.3 million GPUs and an additional 1 gigawatt of compute capacity.

Meta aims to scale its AI products into profitable services over a multi-year investment cycle, with current revenue still primarily driven by digital advertising. Additionally, it also expressed optimism about Meta AI, a digital assistant projected to serve over 1 billion people. “We have the capital to continue investing in the years ahead,” CEO Mark Zuckerberg wrote.

Analyst Ratings Reflect Optimism Amid AI Investments

Needham analyst Laura Martin maintained an Underperform rating.
BofA Securities analyst Justin Post reiterated a Buy rating with a $710.00 price target.
JMP Securities analyst Andrew Boone reaffirmed a Market Outperform rating and set a $750.00 price target.

Which Analyst has the best track record to show on META?

Analyst Thomas Champion (PIPER SANDLER) currently has the highest performing score on META with 21/24 (87.5%) price target fulfillment ratio. His price targets carry an average of $50.72 (8.19%) potential upside. Meta Platforms stock price reaches these price targets on average within 234 days.

SouthState Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2024 Financial Results

SouthState Corporation announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2024. Adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) reported at $1.93, exceeding analyst estimates of $1.66 by $0.27. Revenue for the quarter totaled $450.32 million, surpassing the consensus estimate of $435.94 million. Net income for the quarter was $144.2 million, while adjusted net income (non-GAAP) reached $148.8 million.

SouthState posted a return on average assets (ROAA) of 1.23% and an adjusted ROAA (non-GAAP) of 1.27%. Return on average common equity stood at 9.7%, with adjusted return on average tangible common equity (non-GAAP) of 15.6%. Loans grew by $355 million, or 4% annualized, and deposits increased $423 million, also 4% annualized, resulting in an ending loan-to-deposit ratio of 89%.

Net interest income for the quarter was $370 million, with core net interest income (excluding loan accretion) of $367 million. The net interest margin (NIM), non-tax equivalent and tax equivalent (non-GAAP), was 3.48%. Noninterest income came in at $81 million, representing 0.69% of average assets for the quarter, while the adjusted efficiency ratio (non-GAAP) improved to 54%. Credit quality remained, with net charge-offs of $5.3 million, or 0.06% of average loans annualized, and total allowance for credit losses (ACL) plus reserves for unfunded commitments at 1.51% of loans.

Analyst Upgrades Rating and Price Target Following Q4 Results

Citigroup analyst Ben Gerlinger upgraded from Neutral to Buy and the price target from $106 to $128.

Which Analyst has the best track record to show on SSB?

Analyst Brandon King (TRUIST) currently has the highest performing score on SSB with 14/14 (100%) price target fulfillment ratio. His price targets carry an average of $5.76 (5.92%) potential upside. SouthState Corporation stock price reaches these price targets on average within 127 days.