AUS
NZ
UK
CA
USA
FRA
GER
ESP
ITA
NLD
PRT
SWE
GRC
IND
POL
BRA
ZAF
RUS
CHN
UAE
Shares of ASX-listed Xero (ASX: XRO) have been in limelight recently, as its share price has been volatile from quite long. ASX-listed technology stock has also garnered significant attention from analysts, leading to revision in price target.
Analysts Adjust Price Targets
Analysts at Jefferies have raised their price target for the New Zealand-based payroll software firm to AU$160.36, up from AU$150.95. Similarly, Morningstar increased its fair value estimate for Xero to AU$85 from AU$78. Meanwhile, Citi raised its price target by 9% to AU$158.20 and reiterated its "buy" rating on the stock.
These revisions come in light of Xero's lower annual cost base and better-than-expected financial results, which have prompted a positive reevaluation of the company's future performance.
Optimism from Jefferies and Citi
Jefferies remains bullish on Xero's prospects, anticipating strong average revenue per user (ARPU) growth over the next two years. This growth is expected to be driven by price increases and improved product packaging. "We expect increased product velocity and delivery to drive ARPU growth over the medium-term," Jefferies noted.
Citi echoed this sentiment, citing the company's ability to sustain ARPU growth through innovative pricing strategies and product enhancements. Their optimistic outlook supports the notion that Xero's recent performance improvements are sustainable.
Morningstar's Cautious Approach
In contrast, Morningstar maintains a more conservative perspective. While acknowledging the improved fair value estimate, they caution that Xero may struggle to maintain its current ARPU growth rate as the Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) market becomes saturated. They also highlight the challenges posed by the less profitable international market, which is expected to take a larger share of the company's revenue in the future.
Market Performance
Despite the mixed analyst views, Xero has performed well year-to-date, with the stock rising 20.1% up to the last close. This upward trend reflects investor confidence in the company's growth potential, even as it navigates the complexities of expanding into international markets.
Xero's recent performance has led to increased price targets from several analysts, reflecting optimism about the company's ability to grow its ARPU through strategic pricing and product enhancements. While Morningstar raises concerns about market saturation and international challenges, the overall sentiment remains positive, as evidenced by the stock's 20.1% rise year-to-date. Investors will be watching closely to see how Xero manages its growth trajectory in the coming years.
