Shares of Alfa Laval AB were upgraded by Citi in the Marine sector by Investing.com

On Friday, shares of Alfa Laval AB (ALFA:SS) (OTC: ALFVY) saw their target price increase to SEK 486.00 from SEK 474.00 by Citi, while the firm maintained a Neutral rating on the stock.

The update reflects the latest data from Clarkson and updates expected in the next six months. According to the analyst, the direction of Alfa Laval’s Marine division, which suggests more demand, appears to be at a firm level due to the continued development of the contract for short vessels, especially for products and chemical vessels from the first to the second.

The market is more focused on the Marine industry as compared to the Energy sector, which has been the area of ​​greatest interest over the years. Market optimists are predicting both order growth and sales/margin increases over the next 12 to 24 months.

Although Citi agrees with the opportunity for sales and margin growth leading to 2025, they have a strong view on order expectations, which they consider to be very high at this time.

Citi’s analysis suggests that the product tanker fleet relative to fleet size is nearing recent highs, and with vessel capacity remaining strong, there are expectations that order momentum may ease over the next six months.

The analyst expects a moderate increase in the company’s EBITA consensus estimates next year but notes that low free cash flow margins and high turnover compared to peers with high ratings could limit further rerating potential for Alfa Laval shares.

For the second quarter, the outlook is mixed, with a forecast of a 2-3% increase in orders but a 3-4% drop in EBITA. This in-depth look shows the complex dynamics at play in the marine and energy sectors, as well as market cycles and operational characteristics specific to Alfa Laval.

In other recent news, Alfa Laval’s performance has been noteworthy, with Citi maintaining a neutral stance on the company’s stock. The firm’s outlook on the Marine sector remains volatile, despite the market’s differing views on potential share price growth. Alfa Laval’s Framo division saw orders exceeding SEK 2.5 billion in Q1, a new record, characterized by their short cycle from order to delivery.

However, the latest data may suggest a decline in the number of contracted tankers in Q2 compared to Q1, unless June data proves to be unexpectedly strong. Despite Alfa Laval’s popularity among Capital Goods sector investors, Citi’s stance remains cautious given recent sector data trends.

Citi also revised its target for Alfa Laval stock to SEK430, following the company’s outperforming of the SXNP index by 10%. This comes as the company prepares to present at an upcoming industry conference.

Despite the company’s strong February Marine contract numbers and growth in the datacenter business, Citi expressed caution about Alfa Laval’s Marine orders. This is among the latest developments concerning Alfa Laval.

InvestingPro Insights

As Alfa Laval AB (OTC: ALFVY) navigates a shifting focus from energy to the marine sector, the company’s financial health and market performance remain important to investors. InvestingPro data shows a strong market capitalization of $18.39 billion, indicating a strong presence in the industry. With a P/E ratio of 29.69 and a slight increase to 29.94 over the last twelve months from Q1 2024, the company’s valuation reflects its earnings potential and investor sentiment. Additionally, the Price/Book ratio of 4.92 suggests a premium to the company’s net asset value, which can be attributed to the market’s confidence in its future growth.

Revenue growth is also notable, with an increase of 15.75% in the last twelve months from Q1 2024, showing Alfa Laval’s ability to increase its sales in a competitive environment. In addition, the company’s gross margin of 32.97% underlines its efficiency and ability to maintain profitability.

InvestingPro Tips highlights Alfa Laval as a leading player in the Machinery industry with the ability to cover interest payments through income. In addition, the company operates with a limited level of debt, which may provide some financial flexibility. Analysts are predicting a profit for the year, which reinforces the financial strength of the company.

For investors who want a deeper analysis and more information, there are 7 other InvestingPro Tips available for Alfa Laval AB at To access these important tips and improve your investment strategy, use the coupon code. PRONEWS24 for up to 10% off annual Pro and annual or bi-annual Pro+ subscriptions.

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