Analysts at Canaccord Genuity (TSX:CF, LSE:CF) have raised their price target on WELL Health Technologies Corp (TSX:WELL, OTCQX:WHTCF) on the digital healthcare company’s continued strong operational performance compared to expectations.
They wrote in a note to clients that WELL’s first quarter revenue of $169.4 million and gross adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) of $26.7 million topped the Street’s expectations of revenue of $159.8 million and gross adjusted EBITDA of $25 million.
WELL’s strategy of trading margins for growth in the near term appears to be working, the analysts added.
They noted WELL was investing in its high-growth assets, namely Circle and WISP, which continue to exhibit hyper-growth characteristics.
The analysts also pointed out that the company was in a better position to deliver on more meaningful mergers and acquisitions (M&A).
“Beyond some more tuck-in type acquisitions and a view to venture-style investments in AI assets, WELL has been quieter on the M&A front of late,” they noted.
“With leverage becoming more easily managed (2.6x trailing shareholder EBITDA, excluding converts) and in regaining a premium currency, WELL appears better positioned to deliver on more catalytic consolidation opportunities which management appears increasingly open to.”
The analysts summarized: “In our view, the company’s strategy to reinvest in market share growth in multiple areas is clearly paying dividends as evidenced by the substantial revenue guidance bump while maintaining a 10% EBITDA growth forecast.
“We believe a premium valuation continues to be warranted by a growing record of execution against expectations, accretive M&A optionality, and that several high-growth assets don’t yet fully contribute mature EBITDA margins but are nonetheless growing in value.”
Canaccord’s analysts raised their price target from C$6.50 to C$7 and reiterated their ‘Buy’ rating on the stock. WELL’s shares are currently trading at C$4.52.
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