Selected stock price target news of the day - March 20th, 2025

By: Matthew Otto

Five Below Beats Q4 Estimates but Issues Weaker-Than-Expected Full-Year Outlook

Five Below reported fourth-quarter earnings per share of $3.48, exceeding analyst expectations of $3.37 by $0.11. Revenue for the quarter reached $1.39 billion, surpassing the consensus estimate of $1.38 billion. This represented a 4.0% year-over-year increase or 7.8% growth when excluding the prior year’s 53rd week.

Comparable sales declined by 3.0%, expanded its store count by 14.7%, opening 22 net new locations to reach a total of 1,771 across 44 states. Operating income was $246.8 million, down from $268.4 million in the previous year, while net income declined to $187.5 million from $202.2 million.

Full-year net sales increased by 8.9% to $3.88 billion, or 10.4% when adjusting for the 53rd week, with comparable sales down 2.7%. Five Below added 227 net new stores in fiscal 2024, up from 204 the previous year. Annual earnings per share were $4.60, compared to $5.41 last year.

Looking ahead, Five Below expects earnings per share in the range of $0.50 to $0.61, exceeding the consensus estimate of $0.48. Revenue projected between $905 million and $925 million, compared to analysts’ expectations of $897.8 million.

For the full year, earnings per share are forecasted between $4.10 and $4.72, below the consensus estimate of $5.07. Full-year revenue is expected to range between $4.21 billion and $4.33 billion, in line with the $4.25 billion consensus. Five Below plans to open approximately 150 new stores and invest $210 million to $230 million in capital expenditures.

Analysts Lower Price Targets Following Q4 Results

Truist Securities analyst Scot Ciccarelli maintained a Hold rating while lowering the price target from $93 to $86.
BofA Securities analyst Melanie Nunez kept an Underperform rating and cut the price target from $88 to $75.
Morgan Stanley analyst Simeon Gutman maintained an Equal-Weight rating but reduced the price target from $120 to $110.
Mizuho analyst David Bellinger lowered the price target to $88.

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

Analyst Edward Kelly (WELLS FARGO) currently has the highest performing score on FIVE with 22/25 (88%) price target fulfillment ratio. His price targets carry an average of $19.03 (16.41%) potential upside. Five Below stock price reaches these price targets on average within 90 days.

Liquidia Reports Increased Net Loss and Higher Expenses in 2024 Amid Developments

Liquidia reported a net loss of $130.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $78.5 million in 2023, with a loss per share of $1.66 versus $1.21 in the prior year. Total revenue declined to $14.0 million from $17.5 million, primarily due to a $3.5 million decrease in Treprostinil Injection sales.

Research and development expenses rose by 11% to $47.8 million, including a $6.1 million increase in spending on the L606 program and a $5.3 million rise in YUTREPIA-related costs. General and administrative expenses increased by 82% to $81.6 million, with $19.7 million attributed to personnel costs, $7.9 million to legal fees, and $6.8 million to commercial preparations for YUTREPIA.

Liquidia’s cash and cash equivalents grew to $176.5 million as of December 31, 2024, from $83.7 million at the end of 2023, supported by an amended financing agreement with HealthCare Royalty Partners (HCRx) that provides up to $100 million in additional funding. Liquidia received an initial $25 million at closing, with an additional $50 million contingent on the first commercial sale of YUTREPIA following final FDA approval, and another $25 million subject to reaching $100 million in net sales by June 30, 2026.

Analysts Maintain Positive Outlook with Price Target Increases

HC Wainwright & Co. analyst Andrew Fein reiterated a Buy rating and the price target at $29.
Needham analyst Serge Belanger maintained a Buy rating and raised the price target from $19 to $25.
Scotiabank analyst Greg Harrison increased the price target to $34.

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

Analyst Andrew Fein (HC WAINWRIGHT) currently has the highest performing score on LQDA with 5/9 (55.56%) price target fulfillment ratio. His price targets carry an average of $18.97 (189.13%) potential upside. Liquidia stock price reaches these price targets on average within 415 days.

Williams-Sonoma Reports Mixed Fiscal 2024 Results with Strong Q4 but Full-Year Sales Decline

Williams-Sonoma reported fourth-quarter fiscal 2024 earnings per share (EPS) of $3.28, surpassing analyst estimates by $0.37. Revenue for the quarter reached $2.46 billion, exceeding the consensus estimate of $2.35 billion. Comparable brand revenue grew 3.1%, supported by retail and online furniture sales, seasonal offerings, and successful collaborations.

Williams-Sonoma posted a quarterly operating margin of 21.5%, with operating income of $530 million. Gross margin expanded by 130 basis points to 47.3%, while SG&A expenses totaled $635 million, up 7.6% year-over-year. For the full fiscal year, comparable brand revenue declined 1.6%. Williams-Sonoma delivered an annual operating margin of 17.9% and full-year EPS of $8.50, reflecting a 16.8% increase over the prior year.

Williams-Sonoma continued its shareholder return initiatives, increasing its quarterly dividend by 16% to $0.66 per share and repurchasing $807 million in stock, bringing total shareholder returns to nearly $1.1 billion. It also ended the year holding $1.2 billion in cash and generating $1.4 billion in operating cash flow.

Looking ahead, Williams-Sonoma expects fiscal 2025 revenue to range between -1.5% and +1.5%, with comparable sales growth between flat and 3.0%. Operating margin is projected between 17.4% and 17.8%, inclusive of the 20-basis-point impact from the extra week in fiscal 2024.

Analysts Adjust Price Targets Following Q4 Results

UBS analyst Michael Lasser upgraded from Sell to Neutral rating and the price target from $140 to $165.
Morgan Stanley analyst Simeon Gutman maintained an Equal-Weight rating yet lowered the price target from $195 to $185.
Telsey Advisory Group analyst Cristina Fernandez reaffirmed an Outperform rating while reducing the price target from $230 to $220.
Evercore ISI analyst Oliver Wintermantel maintained coverage but adjusted the price target downward from $185 to $180.

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

Analyst Christopher Horvers (JPMORGAN) currently has the highest performing score on WSM with 12/14 (85.71%) price target fulfillment ratio. His price targets carry an average of $11.49 (8.61%) potential upside. Williams-Sonoma stock price reaches these price targets on average within 891 days.