The financial hubbub last Friday undoubtedly centered on DraftKings, the fantasy sports giant whose shares unexpectedly rebounded after an initial sell-off. The company’s first-quarter earnings report had surpassed expectations, making it the darling of Wall Street once again. This swift yet sudden reversal of fortune was catalyzed by a procession of financial analysts who confidently raised their price estimates on the thriving stock.
With the noisy chime of the NASDAQ trading clock, it seemed as though DraftKings had declared victory in the uncertain game of the marketplace. As the trading week dawned, the stock’s value climbed by a remarkable 5.38%. This impressive rally was spurred by a half dozen analysts who had expressed absolute conviction in the future performance of DraftKings, significantly raising their price forecasts.
Chad Beynon, Macquarie’s seasoned analyst, even though he refrained from raising his price target, reaffirmed his confidence in the stock’s strong performance. He reiterated an “outperform” rating, confidently setting a $54 price objective on the stock, suggesting a potential 22.7% profit margin from that day’s closing price.
What earned Beynon’s appraisal wasn’t pure speculation, but rather DraftKing’s adept management of its expenses and the distinct allure its engrossing free cash flow traits held for potential investors. He noted that DraftKings’ commendable command over a significant market share and its robust growth course made it a safe bet among investors.
Tipping the scales in its favor, DraftKings had enjoyed an unexpected windfall by posting a first-quarter profit, tracing it back to non-generally accepted accounting principles (non-GAAP) – a remarkable feat for a gaming company. This serendipitous turn of events further boosted the predicted midpoint of the company’s EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) revenue guidance for 2024.
Renowned Stifel analyst Jeffrey Stantial went a step further, attributing the company’s notable success since 2023 to the management’s directive to curb costs and their shrewd strategies that quelled concerns over profitability and cash burn.
He pointed out that backed by its robust financial foundation and an upward profitability trend, DraftKings had carved an enviable niche for itself among the emerging growth stocks. Thus, its shares, in his words, offer a ‘constructive setup’.
Forecasting a promising outlook for the remainder of 2024, Stantial highlighted the innate potential for cross-selling existing products to new clients that DraftKings boasted. He particularly mentioned the online lottery provider Jackpocket, acquired by DraftKings for a sum of $750 million earlier in February.
Stantial ventured that coupling the online lottery provision with the company’s already expansive range of offerings could set off a profitable synergy, one that might persist well into 2024, and perhaps even further. He concluded by expressing his anticipation that DraftKings might introduce some form of capital return to its shareholders, while subtly avoiding any mention of either buybacks or dividends.
