Yahoo Finance George Weston Limited Just Missed Earnings - But Analysts Have Updated Their Models
It's been a good week for George Weston Limited (TSE:WN) shareholders, because the company has just released its latest quarterly results, and the shares gained 2.4% to CA$189. It looks like a pretty bad result, all things considered. Although revenues of CA$14b were in line with analyst predictions, statutory earnings fell badly short, missing estimates by 37% to hit CA$1.73 per share. The analysts typically update their forecasts at each earnings report, and we can judge from their estimates whether their view of the company has changed or if there are any new concerns to be aware of. So we collected the latest post-earnings statutory consensus estimates to see what could be in store for next year.
View our latest analysis for George Weston
Following the latest results, George Weston's seven analysts are now forecasting revenues of CA$62.4b in 2024. This would be a modest 2.8% improvement in revenue compared to the last 12 months. Statutory earnings per share are predicted to ascend 17% to CA$11.45. Yet prior to the latest earnings, the analysts had been anticipated revenues of CA$62.3b and earnings per share (EPS) of CA$12.20 in 2024. The analysts seem to have become a little more negative on the business after the latest results, given the small dip in their earnings per share numbers for next year.
It might be a surprise to learn that the consensus price target was broadly unchanged at CA$208, with the analysts clearly implying that the forecast decline in earnings is not expected to have much of an impact on valuation. That's not the only conclusion we can draw from this data however, as some investors also like to consider the spread in estimates when evaluating analyst price targets. The most optimistic George Weston analyst has a price target of CA$226 per share, while the most pessimistic values it at CA$175. With such a narrow range of valuations, the analysts apparently share similar views on what they think the business is worth.
One way to get more context on these forecasts is to look at how they compare to both past performance, and how other companies in the same industry are performing. We can infer from the latest estimates that forecasts expect a continuation of George Weston'shistorical trends, as the 3.8% annualised revenue growth to the end of 2024 is roughly in line with the 4.2% annual growth over the past five years. Compare this with the broader industry, which analyst estimates (in aggregate) suggest will see revenues grow 3.3% annually. So although George Weston is expected to maintain its revenue growth rate, it's only growing at about the rate of the wider industry.
The Bottom Line
The most important thing to take away is that the analysts downgraded their earnings per share estimates, showing that there has been a clear decline in sentiment following these results. Happily, there were no real changes to revenue forecasts, with the business still expected to grow in line with the overall industry. The consensus price target held steady at CA$208, with the latest estimates not enough to have an impact on their price targets.
With that said, the long-term trajectory of the company's earnings is a lot more important than next year. We have forecasts for George Weston going out to 2026, and you can see them free on our platform here.
That said, it's still necessary to consider the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 3 warning signs with George Weston (at least 1 which is concerning) , and understanding these should be part of your investment process.
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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
