Stocks

Understanding Broadcom Inc. (AVGO): Key Facts Before Investing

Published November 29, 2024

Broadcom Inc. (AVGO) has recently caught the eye of many investors and analysts. With significant attention surrounding the stock, it is crucial to understand the various factors that could influence its performance in the short term.

Over the past month, shares of Broadcom Inc., a leading chipmaker, have seen a decline of -6%, whereas the S&P 500 composite has grown by +3.1%. The broader Zacks Electronics - Semiconductors industry, including companies like Nvidia, has experienced a 5.1% drop during this same timeframe. The pressing question is: what lies ahead for Broadcom Inc.?

Media stories or speculation about major changes within a company can make its stock a topic of discussion and often lead to immediate price shifts. However, fundamental factors generally play a bigger role when it comes to an investor's decision to hold or sell a stock.

Earnings Estimate Adjustments

At Zacks, the focus is primarily on changes in earnings projections for companies. The rationale is simple: a stock's fair value is tied to the present value of its future earnings.

Analysts watch closely as sell-side analysts adjust their earnings estimates based on the latest business trends. If these estimates increase, the stock's fair value rises, attracting more investors and potentially boosting the stock price. Historical evidence supports a strong link between earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock performance.

Specifically, Broadcom Inc. is anticipated to announce earnings of $1.39 per share for the current quarter, reflecting a year-over-year increase of +25.2%. Over the past month, the consensus estimate has remained unchanged.

This year, analysts expect the company to earn $4.82 per share, marking a +14% change compared to last year. This estimate has also shown stability over the last 30 days.

Looking ahead to the next fiscal year, the expected earnings of $6.12 per share indicate a robust increase of +26.8% compared to last year's projections. Although this figure has shifted slightly downwards by -0.3% over the past month.

Utilizing the Zacks Rank, an effective tool that incorporates the latest earnings estimate revisions, Broadcom Inc. currently holds a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), suggesting positive short-term price movement.

Revenue Growth Potential

While earnings growth is often viewed as a critical indicator of a company's financial strength, revenue growth is equally important. Sustained earnings increases require a corresponding rise in revenues.

In Broadcom Inc.'s case, analysts project sales of $14.06 billion for the current quarter, representing an increase of +51.3% year-over-year. Future estimates include $51.58 billion for the current fiscal year (+44%) and $60.19 billion for next year (+16.7%).

Reported Performance and Surprise Trends

In the last quarter, Broadcom Inc. reported revenue of $13.07 billion, reflecting a +47.3% change compared to the previous year. Earnings per share (EPS) amounted to $1.24, up from $1.05 a year earlier.

This revenue exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $12.9 billion by +1.31%, while the EPS surpassed expectations by +3.33%.

The company has consistently outperformed consensus EPS estimates for the last four quarters and exceeded revenue expectations each time.

Valuation Insights

When considering any investment, assessing a stock's valuation is essential. Understanding whether the stock's current price reflects its intrinsic value and growth potential is crucial.

To determine if a stock is undervalued or overvalued, it's useful to compare its pricing metrics, such as price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), with historical values as well as those of its peers.

According to the Zacks Style Scores system, Broadcom Inc. has a Zacks Value Style Score of D, indicating it is priced higher than its peers within the industry. Detailed valuation metrics contributing to this rating can be reviewed for deeper insights.

Conclusion

The information highlighted here, among other data, can guide investors considering Broadcom Inc. However, the current Zacks Rank #2 suggests that the stock may have a favorable outlook in the near term.

Stock, Investment, Earnings