Needham Just Cut Its Price Target on These 3 Stocks

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Investors should always pay close attention to stocks with lowered price targets. Not only can that lowered target highlight potential danger, but it can also highlight a potential short opportunity to be well aware of.

Often, downgraded and downward price revisions are influenced by company fundamentals, including financial health and future growth. They can also indicate bearish trends in the industry, including earnings trends and financial data. Or, perhaps a firm is simply jumping on a bearish bandwagon with other firms. Or, maybe, the stock in question has become too hot, and even technically overbought.

You also want to make sure you’re not just following any firm when it comes to downgrades and price revisions. Make sure you follow the top firms, such as Needham, especially when a good deal of their long and short bets seem to be spot on. Here are three stocks with lowered price targets, as highlighted by Needham.

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Coursera (COUR)

The app page for Coursera is displayed on a smartphone screen with a website in the background.
The app page for Coursera is displayed on a smartphone screen with a website in the background.

Source: Postmodern Studio / Shutterstock.com

Over the last few days, Needham lowered its price target on education technology company Coursera (NYSE:COUR) to $15 from $23. All after Coursera’s first quarter earnings and full-year guidance failed to meet expectations.

With earnings, its first quarter earnings per share came in at 7 cents, which beat by 6 cents. Revenue of $169.1 million, which was up 14.5% year over year, missed by $1.4 million. In addition, its outlook wasn’t so hot.

The company expects revenue to come in between $162 million and $166 million, as compared to an estimate of $177.8 million. For full-year 2024, the company’s targeted revenue range is $695 million to $705 million. That’s also below expectations for $736.5 million.

Also, while COUR is embracing artificial intelligence, the company did warn that it is still “in the early stages of helping our learners, educators, and customers understand how emerging AI technologies will transform the way we teach, learn and work,” as quoted by Seeking Alpha.

Rivian Automotive (RIVN)

A new Rivian R1T truck is seen at a Rivian service center in South San Francisco, California. Rivian Automotive, (RIVN) is an electric vehicle automaker. RIVN stock price predictions
A new Rivian R1T truck is seen at a Rivian service center in South San Francisco, California. Rivian Automotive, (RIVN) is an electric vehicle automaker. RIVN stock price predictions

Source: Tada Images / Shutterstock.com

Needham also just cut its price target on Rivian Automotive (NASDAQ:RIVN) to $13 from $18.

According to the firm, the downward price revision was a result of a lower valuation multiple on its adjusted EBITDA forecast for 2028, as noted by Investorplace.com. The firm also believes RIVN could see pressure from slower electric vehicle adoption.

Needham also opposes the company’s decision to delay its Georgia plant, which will save it about $2.25 billion. While RIVN says it’s still committed to building that plant, it did not put forth any definitive restart dates.