Stock Markets

Jefferies cuts Booz Allen stock rating to Hold, sees slowdown in the long-term

Published

2 months ago

November 5, 2024

On Monday, Jefferies adjusted its stance on shares of Booz Allen Hamilton (NYSE:), downgrading the stock from Buy to Hold, though the firm increased the price target to $190 from $180. The revision comes despite acknowledging the company’s strong management and share price performance.

The analyst from Jefferies noted that while Booz Allen Hamilton has shown stellar performance, a pause on the stock is suggested as earnings per share (EPS) revisions through the fiscal year 2025 (ending in March 2025) may be limited.

The limited potential for EPS revisions is attributed to margins being range-bound, with the Defense sector—accounting for 48% of sales and approximately 10% margins—outperforming the Civil sector, which makes up 33% of sales and has a 13% margin. The analyst further pointed out that there is an anticipated slowdown in organic growth excluding items, from 11% in the fiscal year 2025 to 8% in fiscal years 2026 to 2027 estimates.

The new price target of $190 is based on a 30% market premium or twice the three-year average, reflecting the analyst’s valuation of the stock. This price target suggests a modest upside from the previous target, indicating a positive outlook on the company’s value despite the rating downgrade.

The downgrade to Hold reflects a cautious approach towards Booz Allen Hamilton’s stock, considering the expected limitations in earnings growth and margin expansion in the upcoming years. The firm’s analysis suggests that while the company has been performing well, future gains might not be as robust as in the previous periods.

In other recent news, Booz Allen Hamilton reported a robust second quarter for fiscal year 2025, with major revenue hikes in its civil, defense, and intelligence sectors.

The company’s VOLT growth strategy, a record $41 billion backlog, a $115 million insurance recovery, and a $200 million boost from payroll modernization were significant contributors to this performance. Adjusted EBITDA reached $364 million, a 25% year-over-year increase, and net income surged by 129% to $390 million.

Despite the loss of the Advana contract and a Department of Veterans Affairs contract to Deloitte, Booz Allen maintains a strong demand environment with a qualified pipeline of over $20 billion.

The firm’s operating model allows for quick adaptation to client needs amid shifting priorities, and recruitment and retention trends remain strong, making Booz Allen an attractive destination for tech talent. These recent developments emphasize Booz Allen’s strong market presence and potential for continued growth.

InvestingPro Insights

While Jefferies has downgraded Booz Allen Hamilton (NYSE:BAH) to Hold, recent data from InvestingPro paints a nuanced picture of the company’s financial health and market performance. BAH’s revenue growth of 13.94% over the last twelve months and a strong 18.01% quarterly growth align with the company’s solid performance noted in the article.

The stock’s P/E ratio of 28.58 and an adjusted P/E ratio of 31.27 for the last twelve months as of Q2 2025 suggest that investors are willing to pay a premium for BAH’s earnings, which could be justified by its consistent growth. This valuation is further supported by the company’s robust EBITDA growth of 30.89% over the same period.

InvestingPro Tips highlight that BAH has raised its dividend for 9 consecutive years and maintained payments for 13 years, indicating a commitment to shareholder returns. This is particularly relevant given the article’s focus on the company’s financial outlook. Additionally, the tip that BAH operates with a moderate level of debt provides context to the company’s financial stability, which could be a factor in its ability to navigate potential growth slowdowns mentioned in the analyst’s report.

For investors seeking a more comprehensive analysis, InvestingPro offers 11 additional tips that could provide further insights into BAH’s market position and future prospects.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

Stock Markets

BioAge Labs (BIOA) Azelaprag Trial Halt Raises Questions About Pre-IPO Disclosures – Hagens Berman

Published

10 hours ago

December 26, 2024

San Francisco, California–(Newsfile Corp. – December 25, 2024) – On December 9, 2024, just months after conducting an initial public offering in September 2024, BioAge Labs, Inc. (NASDAQ: BIOA) made the startling announcement that it was discontinuing a Phase 2 study for its lead product, azelaprag, intended to treat metabolic diseases such as obesity.

Hagens Berman has opened an investigation and urges investors in BioAge who purchased shares in the company’s IPO or on the open market and suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now.

Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/bioa
Contact the Firm Now: BIOA@hbsslaw.com
844-916-0895

BioAge Labs, Inc. (BIOA) Investigation:

The investigation is focused on the propriety of BioAge’s disclosures about the safety data and other matters related to azelaprag, which the company said in its IPO documents has been “well-tolerated in 265 individuals across eight Phase 1 clinical trials.”

BioAge’s disclosures came into question after the market closed on December 6, 2024, when the company announced the discontinuation of the STRIDES Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating azelaprag in combination with tirzepatide for the treatment of obesity. BioAge said that liver transaminitis was observed in patients receiving azelaprag.

This news drove the price of BioAge shares down almost 80% on December 9, 2024.

“We’re focused on whether BioAge was transparent to investors about the azelaprag safety profile before the December 6 announcement,” said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the investigation.

If you invested in BioAge and have substantial losses, or have knowledge that may assist the firm’s investigation, submit your losses now »

If you’d like more information and answers to frequently asked questions about the BioAge investigation, read more »

Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding BioAge should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email BIOA@hbsslaw.com.

# # #

About Hagens Berman
Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs’ rights complex litigation firm focusing on corporate accountability. The firm is home to a robust practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and other wrongdoings. Hagens Berman’s team has secured more than $2.9 billion in this area of law. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/235182

Stock Markets

Celsius Holdings (CELH) Hit with Investor Class Action Amid Accusations of Oversold Inventory to Pepsi- Hagens Berman

Published

10 hours ago

December 26, 2024

CELH Investors with Losses Encouraged to Contact the Firm

San Francisco, California–(Newsfile Corp. – December 25, 2024) – Celsius Holdings (NASDAQ:), Inc. (NASDAQ: CELH) and certain of its C-Suite officers are embroiled in a securities class action lawsuit, claiming they misrepresented and concealed crucial information about the company’s financial performance, especially concerning its key customer, PepsiCo (NASDAQ:).

Hagens Berman is investigating the allegations and urges investors in Celsius who purchased shares and suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now.

Class Period: Feb. 29, 2024 – Sept. 4, 2024
Lead Plaintiff Deadline: Jan. 21, 2025
Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/celh
Contact the Firm Now: CELH@hbsslaw.com
844-916-0895

Celsius Holdings, Inc. (CELH) Securities Class Action (WA:):

The lawsuit alleges that during the Class Period, Celsius failed to disclose to investors several critical points:

Oversold Inventory: Celsius significantly oversold inventory to Pepsi beyond demand, leading to a potential drastic reduction in future purchases.
Declining Sales: As Pepsi depleted its overstock, Celsius’ sales were projected to decline, impacting its financial health and outlook.
Unsustainable Sales Rates: The sales rates to Pepsi were unsustainable and created a misleading impression of the company’s performance.
Misleading Metrics: Consequently, Celsius’ business metrics and financial prospects were overstated

The situation came to light on May 28, 2024, when Celsius’ stock price plummeted nearly 13% following reports from Nielsen indicating slowed sales growth. Analysts highlighted the possibility of significantly reduced sales as Pepsi cut back its inventory.

The stock took another hit on September 4, 2024, dropping over 11% after a company presentation revealed a shortfall of $100 million to $120 million in Pepsi orders compared to the previous year. It was also disclosed that Pepsi had held several million excess cases over the last 18 months.

These revelations have led shareholder rights firm Hagens Berman to investigate the allegations.

“We’re investigating whether Celsius deliberately painted an overly optimistic picture of its relationship with Pepsi, misleading investors about the true state of its financial health and sales sustainability,” said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the investigation.

If you invested in Celsius and have substantial losses, or have knowledge that may assist the firm’s investigation, submit your losses now »

If you’d like more information and answers to frequently asked questions about the Celsius case and our investigation, read more »

Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Celsius Holdings should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email CELH@hbsslaw.com.

# # #

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/235180

Stock Markets

Suriname fugitive ex-President Desi Bouterse dead at 79

Published

10 hours ago

December 26, 2024

By Ank Kuipers

PARAMARIBO (Reuters) -Suriname’s fugitive former President Desi Bouterse has died aged 79, the country’s government said on Wednesday, almost a year after he fled authorities to avoid jail following his conviction over the murder of 15 political activists in 1982.

“The government has been informed through the family and its own investigations of the passing of Mr. D. Bouterse, ex-President of the Republic of Suriname,” Foreign Minister Albert Ramdin told Reuters.

The former leader died on Tuesday, the government said, without confirming where, or even in which country. Last week Surinamese authorities raided his home – where supporters gathered to pay their respects on Wednesday morning – but did not find him.

Surinamese President Chan Santokhi, who investigated the case as a police commissioner and later as justice minister, expressed condolences to Bouterse’s family and urged calm in a statement.

“In the spirit of the holiday season and year-end, the president calls on all to remain dignified and calm, maintain peace and order and engage in prayer in the spirit of these special days,” the statement said.

Bouterse dominated politics in the tiny South American country for decades, leading a coup in 1980 and finally leaving office in 2020.

In 2019 he and six others were convicted for their role in the 1982 murders of 15 leading government critics – including lawyers, journalists, union leaders, soldiers and university professors – for which Bouterse received a 20-year prison sentence.

Bouterse had claimed the murdered men were connected to a planned invasion of the former Dutch colony.

Following years of legal back and forth, Bouterse was ordered to report to prison in January but he did not show up on the appointed date.

Though Bouterse avoided prison by going on the run, Reed Brody, a U.S. war crimes prosecutor who monitored the case for the International Commission of Jurists, said justice had caught up with the convicted former president before he died.