Palantir's Growth Story Remains Intact Despite Guidance Miss
Palantir stock is falling after the company's full-year outlook fell short of expectations, but one analyst says you needn't worry.
Palantir Technologies (PLTR) stock is tumbling Tuesday after the software provider reported strong first-quarter results late Monday, but provided soft guidance for the full year. Still, one analyst says PLTR's growth story remains intact.
In the three months ended March 31, Palantir said its revenue was up 21% year-over-year to $634.3 million. Earnings per share (EPS) improved to 8 cents per share from 5 cents per share in the year-ago period.
The top-line results exceeded analysts' expectations while the bottom line matched forecasts. According to CNBC, Wall Street had expected revenue of $625 million and earnings of 8 cents per share.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
"Our business is now growing at a scale and pace that even our most ardent advocates would have been hard pressed to say was likely, or even possible," Palantir chief executive officer Alex Karp wrote in a May 6 letter to shareholders. "We anticipate that our U.S. commercial business, which accounted for 24% of our revenue last quarter, will remain one of the most significant drivers of our growth in the near term."
As a result of its strong performance in the first quarter, Palantir raised its full-year outlook. The company now expects revenue in the range of $2.677 billion to $2.689 billion, up from its previous outlook of $2.652 billion to $2.668 billion.
However, Wall Street wants more, which likely explains the post-earnings slump for the tech stock. According to CNBC, expectations are for full-year revenue of approximately $2.71 billion.
Where does Palantir stock stand with analysts?
Palantir stock has been a standout on the charts over the past 12 months, nearly tripling in value. Wedbush analyst Daniel Ives sees even more upside for PLTR, as evidenced by his Buy rating and $35 price target which represents implied upside of roughly 62% to current levels.
Ives says he sees "increased momentum" in the stock's growth story thanks to its Artificial Intelligence Platform. "AIP [is] leading the charge in generating significant demand across both commercial and government landscapes while [being] well-positioned to gain a larger share of this $1 trillion opportunity taking place with AI use cases exploding globally," the analyst said in a May 7 report.
Overall, most analysts are on the sidelines when it comes to the AI stock. According to S&P Global Market Intelligence, analysts' average target price for Palantir is $21.13, representing implied downside of about 2% to current levels. Additionally, the consensus recommendation is Hold.
Related Content
To continue reading this article
please register for free
This is different from signing in to your print subscription
Why am I seeing this? Find out more here
Joey Solitro is a freelance financial journalist at Kiplinger with more than a decade of experience. A longtime equity analyst, Joey has covered a range of industries for media outlets including The Motley Fool, Seeking Alpha, Market Realist, and TipRanks. Joey holds a bachelor's degree in business administration.
-
Four Things That Impact the Financial Plans of Every One of Us
You can control some of these factors (how much you save), but others you can’t (how long you live), so there’s good news and bad news here.
By Andrew Rosen, CFP®, CEP Published
-
Does Activist Investing Work? These Success Stories Say Yes
Activist investors take stakes in companies to boost shareholder value. While not always successful, these five examples show activist investing can work.
By Will Ashworth Published
-
Does Activist Investing Work? These Success Stories Say Yes
Activist investors take stakes in companies to boost shareholder value. While not always successful, these five examples show activist investing can work.
By Will Ashworth Published
-
Stock Market Today: Dow Nabs First-Ever Close Above 40,000
Robinhood stock popped after a double-upgrade from BofA Securities, while Reddit jumped on a new OpenAI deal.
By Karee Venema Published
-
Take-Two Interactive Delays GTA 6 Release: What To Know
Take-Two Interactive stock is higher even after the video-game maker delayed the release of Grand Theft Auto VI. Here's what you need to know.
By Joey Solitro Published
-
Reddit Stock Surges on OpenAI Deal: What You Need To Know
Reddit inked a partnership with OpenAI that will bring new artificial intelligence features to the social media platform.
By Joey Solitro Published
-
Stock Market Today: Dow Flirts With 40K After Walmart Earnings
The 30-stock index briefly traded above the 40,000 mark as blue chip retail stock Walmart surged after earnings.
By Karee Venema Published
-
Cisco Stock Struggles Despite Earnings Beat, Strong Outlook
Cisco stock is lower Thursday even after the tech giant's beat-and-raise quarter. Here's what you need to know.
By Joey Solitro Published
-
Chubb Stock Jumps After Buffett's Berkshire Takes a Stake
Chubb stock is up on news Warren Buffett's holding company Berkshire Hathaway built a position in the insurance firm. Here's what you need to know.
By Joey Solitro Published
-
Walmart Stock Surges on Q1 Earnings Beat, Strong Outlook
Walmart stock is higher after beating first-quarter earnings expectations and issuing a strong outlook. Here's what you need to know.
By Joey Solitro Published