Latest news with #CoryCarpenter
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Which Internet Software Stocks Is JP Morgan Bullish On?
JP Morgan analyst Cory Carpenter named Take-Two Interactive Software (NASDAQ:TTWO) and Xometry (NASDAQ:XMTR) as top picks within the internet small and mid-cap (SMID) and video games sectors. As part of a wider reassessment of the internet SMID and video games sectors, this modification by JP Morgan encapsulates their latest industry analysis and projections. The key conclusion of this assessment is that small-cap internet stocks continue to underperform significantly, marking the fifth consecutive year of this this, the sector shows some resilience with the median covered company projected to grow revenue by 9% and maintain a 20% EBITDA margin in 2025, with all companies now adjusted EBITDA profitable, the analyst observed in the report. A notable finding is the potential positive impact of the App Store ruling on companies like Match Group (NASDAQ:MTCH) and Bumble (NASDAQ:BMBL), which may result in some fee relief. While overall estimates for 2025 have seen slight downward revisions, the report highlights specific opportunities and dislocations, such as Take-Two Interactive as a top pick due to the anticipated GTA VI release, and identifies Roku, Inc. (NASDAQ:ROKU) and Xometry as companies with stock dislocations worth watching. Carpenter maintained an Overweight rating on Take-Two Interactive with a price forecast of $250 due to the highly anticipated GTA VI (May 2026), its status as the most anticipated video game release in history, and strong performance from NBA 2K and Zynga. While GTA VI delays pose a risk, the firm projects significant growth with $8.75 billion in bookings and $9 adjusted EPS in FY27, driven by GTA VI unit sales. The analyst has rated Xometry Overweight with a $38 price forecast, calling it a top small-cap pick. The custom manufacturing marketplace is seen as a clear leader in a growing online market, with accelerating revenue. Despite risks like manufacturing contraction, Xometry is projected for $595 million in marketplace revenue and $13 million adjusted EBITDA in 2025. Tariffs, supply chain uncertainty, and onshoring should accelerate share gains, as per the analyst. He increased the price forecast from $36 to $38. Carpenter also increased the price forecast for Roblox Corp. (NYSE:RBLX) (from $80 to $100), citing beat and raise first-quarter and strong second-quarter intra-quarter trends. The analyst raised the price forecast on Roku, Inc. from $75 to $85, citing China tariff relief and platform revenue upside potential. He boosted the price forecast on Applovin Corp. (NASDAQ:APP) from $355 to $400, citing a first-quarter beat, app store ruling, and self-serve catalyst. Carpenter downgraded Bumble from Neutral to Underweight, maintaining a $5 price forecast, despite the stock's recent 50%+ surge since Liberation Day. The upgrade in profit, driven by cost cuts, offset weaker revenue. However, Carpenter anticipates accelerated declines in revenue and payers, citing worsening U.S. download trends. He expects margins to moderate as brand marketing resumes (i.e., another big upgrade seems unlikely) and notes continued challenges in the online dating sector, especially with Gen Z engagement. Tinder's turnaround is further along, yet Match Group shares are near all-time lows, reflecting industry-wide struggles. Read Next:Image via Shutterstock Date Firm Action From To Mar 2022 Deutsche Bank Initiates Coverage On Buy Mar 2022 BMO Capital Upgrades Market Perform Outperform Feb 2022 BMO Capital Maintains Market Perform View More Analyst Ratings for MTCH View the Latest Analyst Ratings UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? TAKE-TWO INTERACTIVE (TTWO): Free Stock Analysis Report This article Which Internet Software Stocks Is JP Morgan Bullish On? originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Bloomberg
3 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Stock Movers: Bumble, Dollar General, Pinterest
On this episode of Stock Movers: - Bumble shares (BMBL) fell on Tuesday after JPMorgan downgrades to underweight from neutral. Analyst Cory Carpenter says shares have rallied over 50% since President Donald Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariff announcements. - Dollar General shares (DG) rise after the retailer reported first-quarter profit and sales that topped expectations, and management boosted its comparable sales forecast for the full year, as well as the low end of its EPS target. Despite low-income shoppers feeling squeezed by inflation, Dollar General's sales have continued to increase, and its value-priced offerings may attract more customers during economic downturns. - Pinterest (PINS) gains after JPMorgan raises rating to overweight from neutral. A diversification of its advertising platform to provide full-funnel capabilities is supporting further revenue upside at the social media firm, says analyst Doug Anmuth.
CNBC
4 days ago
- Business
- CNBC
These are JPMorgan's favorite stocks heading into June
JPMorgan added Rockstar Games parent-company Take-Two Interactive to its list of top stocks as June trading begins. The firm updates its analyst focus list each month. It is comprised of JPMorgan's top ideas for growth, income, short investment tactics and value. The June list, which includes just one addition and one stock removal, comes as investors continue to weigh macroeconomic concerns tied to tariffs and U.S. trade policy. Tensions between China and the U.S. were heightened to start the month, after Beijing on Monday pushed back against the Trump administration's accusations that it violated the Geneva trade agreement. Stocks were lower to start the month, as the tensions weighed on risk assets after a strong May . Take-Two Interactive stock has advanced more than 22% so far in 2025. The company continues to garner investor excitement over the forthcoming release of Grand Theft Auto VI, which is one of the company's premier video game franchises. The firm released the first trailer for GTA VI in 2023. This year, fans saw an extended trailer release, but the company pushed back the game's release to May 2026 from fall 2025. TTWO YTD mountain Take-Two Interactive stock in 2025. "TTWO is our top pick and we are adding to the analyst focus list with the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI release one year away (May 2026)," analyst Cory Carpenter said. "Upcoming catalysts include additional game trailers, pre-orders, gameplay video, and announcements around the online and PC versions." Most analysts share Carpenter's optimistic view on Take Two. About 86% of analysts polled by FactSet have a buy rating on Take-Two stock, with the consensus price target implying 12% upside. Among the key holdovers from the previous edition of JPMorgan's list includes streaming giant Netflix . Shares have surged more than 35% in 2025. The firm has labeled Netflix as the de facto leader in the streaming sector, while also lauding the company's advertising efforts. Last month, analyst Douglas Anmuth went as far as to say Netflix is on its way to becoming "global TV." NFLX YTD mountain Netflix stock in 2025. Roughly 70% of analysts surveyed by FactSet have a buy rating on Netflix stock. However, the consensus price target calls for about 3% downside ahead. Other top picks that have remained on the JPMorgan list include Boeing and McDonald's , both of which are rated overweight.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
AppLovin's Rapid Ad Growth, AI Gains Drive Hike In Analyst Price Forecast
Applovin Corp (NASDAQ:APP) stock closed higher by 12% on Thursday after the company reported better-than-expected first-quarter financial results on Wednesday. AppLovin reported quarterly sales of $1.48 billion, beating the consensus estimate of $1.38 billion and representing a 40% year-over-year increase. The company reported adjusted earnings per share of $1.67, beating the consensus estimate of $1.45. The company guided second-quarter advertising revenue of $1.19 billion-$1.21 billion. Muddy Waters Doubles Down On AppLovin In New Short Report Ahead Of Q1 Earnings Wall Street analysts rerated the stock after the report: JP Morgan analyst Cory Carpenter maintained AppLovin with a Neutral and raised the price target from $270 to $355. Goldman Sachs analyst Eric Sheridan reiterated a Neutral on AppLovin and raised the price target from $335 to $435. BofA Securities analyst Omar Dessouky maintained AppLovin with a Buy and a price target of $580. JP Morgan: The rerating reflects risk shares could underperform in a weaker macro environment given e-commerce exposure and less advertiser breadth than larger ad platforms. Applovin revenue grew 40% year over year, and adjusted EBITDA grew 83% year over year, topping management guidance of 29% and 59%. The advertising segment once again drove the upside, with revenue growth of 71% year over year and adjusted EBITDA growth of 92% year over year to a record 81% margin. Management called out model enhancements and a full quarter contribution of e-commerce ads, with gaming accounting for most of the sequential growth. Applovin guided to advertising revenue of $1.195-1.215 billion (69% Y/Y) and advertising adjusted EBITDA of $970 million-990 million (88% Y/Y, 81% margin), both well above the consensus of $1.100 billion and $863 million. The outlook implies sequential revenue growth of 3%-5%, which reflects seasonality and resource constraints in onboarding new advertisers until the self-serve platform opens up. Carpenter projected second-quarter revenue of $1.22 billion and EPS of $2.01. Goldman Sachs: AppLovin management emphasized key themes in its first-quarter earnings report. Strong advertising revenue performance on the back of continued success with its Axon 2.0 platform and the early scaling of its push into the e-commerce opportunity. A focus on executing against their advertising opportunity on the back of technological scaling. A focus on driving operational efficiencies with an aim toward the compounded effect of high incremental margins. In addition, AppLovin announced it has reached an agreement to sell its legacy Apps business to Tripledot Studios as it completes its multi-year strategic shift towards advertising. Over the long term, Sheridan maintains that AppLovin has a collection of businesses that can produce above-average advertising/marketing industry growth and a strong margin profile in a normalized mobile ads/mobile gaming landscape in the coming years. Sheridan projected second-quarter revenue of $1.51 billion and EPS of $2.12. BofA Securities: First-quarter advertising segment revenue grew by 71% Y/Y, topping company and Dessouky estimates. Over half of the sequential growth came from gaming advertisers, from which he noted that e-commerce grew to $180 million (ahead of Dessouky's estimate of $150 million), up from $100 million in the fourth quarter. The pace of web merchant onboarding slowed compared to December because AppLovin's e-commerce team remains small and must manage the advertisers who have already been onboarded while onboarding new advertisers. Demand remains overwhelmingly strong, and the rollout of its self-service dashboard this quarter will re-accelerate onboarding, likely beyond 100 incremental monthly advertisers. Management sounded somewhat cautious on second-quarter 2025 guidance (advertising segment +5% Q/Q), citing the temporary slowdown in web merchant onboarding; guidance does not assume a meaningful increase in e-commerce net revenue. Nonetheless, he modeled 11% sequentially because AI model enhancements in the quarter could result in step change performance and results ahead of his model. Moreover, second-quarter e-commerce industry sales benefit from ~5% seasonality. Dessouky projected second-quarter revenue of $1.60 billion and EPS of $2.34. Price Action: APP stock is down 2.73% to $331.84 at the last check on Friday. Read Next:Image: Shutterstock Date Firm Action From To Feb 2022 Morgan Stanley Maintains Overweight Feb 2022 Credit Suisse Maintains Outperform Feb 2022 Credit Suisse Maintains Outperform View More Analyst Ratings for APP View the Latest Analyst Ratings Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? APPLOVIN (APP): Free Stock Analysis Report This article AppLovin's Rapid Ad Growth, AI Gains Drive Hike In Analyst Price Forecast originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
AppLovin's Rapid Ad Growth, AI Gains Drive Hike In Analyst Price Forecast
Applovin Corp (NASDAQ:APP) stock closed higher by 12% on Thursday after the company reported better-than-expected first-quarter financial results on Wednesday. AppLovin reported quarterly sales of $1.48 billion, beating the consensus estimate of $1.38 billion and representing a 40% year-over-year increase. The company reported adjusted earnings per share of $1.67, beating the consensus estimate of $1.45. The company guided second-quarter advertising revenue of $1.19 billion-$1.21 billion. Muddy Waters Doubles Down On AppLovin In New Short Report Ahead Of Q1 Earnings Wall Street analysts rerated the stock after the report: JP Morgan analyst Cory Carpenter maintained AppLovin with a Neutral and raised the price target from $270 to $355. Goldman Sachs analyst Eric Sheridan reiterated a Neutral on AppLovin and raised the price target from $335 to $435. BofA Securities analyst Omar Dessouky maintained AppLovin with a Buy and a price target of $580. JP Morgan: The rerating reflects risk shares could underperform in a weaker macro environment given e-commerce exposure and less advertiser breadth than larger ad platforms. Applovin revenue grew 40% year over year, and adjusted EBITDA grew 83% year over year, topping management guidance of 29% and 59%. The advertising segment once again drove the upside, with revenue growth of 71% year over year and adjusted EBITDA growth of 92% year over year to a record 81% margin. Management called out model enhancements and a full quarter contribution of e-commerce ads, with gaming accounting for most of the sequential growth. Applovin guided to advertising revenue of $1.195-1.215 billion (69% Y/Y) and advertising adjusted EBITDA of $970 million-990 million (88% Y/Y, 81% margin), both well above the consensus of $1.100 billion and $863 million. The outlook implies sequential revenue growth of 3%-5%, which reflects seasonality and resource constraints in onboarding new advertisers until the self-serve platform opens up. Carpenter projected second-quarter revenue of $1.22 billion and EPS of $2.01. Goldman Sachs: AppLovin management emphasized key themes in its first-quarter earnings report. Strong advertising revenue performance on the back of continued success with its Axon 2.0 platform and the early scaling of its push into the e-commerce opportunity. A focus on executing against their advertising opportunity on the back of technological scaling. A focus on driving operational efficiencies with an aim toward the compounded effect of high incremental margins. In addition, AppLovin announced it has reached an agreement to sell its legacy Apps business to Tripledot Studios as it completes its multi-year strategic shift towards advertising. Over the long term, Sheridan maintains that AppLovin has a collection of businesses that can produce above-average advertising/marketing industry growth and a strong margin profile in a normalized mobile ads/mobile gaming landscape in the coming years. Sheridan projected second-quarter revenue of $1.51 billion and EPS of $2.12. BofA Securities: First-quarter advertising segment revenue grew by 71% Y/Y, topping company and Dessouky estimates. Over half of the sequential growth came from gaming advertisers, from which he noted that e-commerce grew to $180 million (ahead of Dessouky's estimate of $150 million), up from $100 million in the fourth quarter. The pace of web merchant onboarding slowed compared to December because AppLovin's e-commerce team remains small and must manage the advertisers who have already been onboarded while onboarding new advertisers. Demand remains overwhelmingly strong, and the rollout of its self-service dashboard this quarter will re-accelerate onboarding, likely beyond 100 incremental monthly advertisers. Management sounded somewhat cautious on second-quarter 2025 guidance (advertising segment +5% Q/Q), citing the temporary slowdown in web merchant onboarding; guidance does not assume a meaningful increase in e-commerce net revenue. Nonetheless, he modeled 11% sequentially because AI model enhancements in the quarter could result in step change performance and results ahead of his model. Moreover, second-quarter e-commerce industry sales benefit from ~5% seasonality. Dessouky projected second-quarter revenue of $1.60 billion and EPS of $2.34. Price Action: APP stock is down 2.73% to $331.84 at the last check on Friday. Read Next:Image: Shutterstock Date Firm Action From To Feb 2022 Morgan Stanley Maintains Overweight Feb 2022 Credit Suisse Maintains Outperform Feb 2022 Credit Suisse Maintains Outperform View More Analyst Ratings for APP View the Latest Analyst Ratings Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? APPLOVIN (APP): Free Stock Analysis Report This article AppLovin's Rapid Ad Growth, AI Gains Drive Hike In Analyst Price Forecast originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
