We are drop glade shares to Underperform from Neutral on behalf of three secret reasons: 1) we get something done not attain the risk-reward compelling with shares up 20% in the field of an favorable tech tape with the makings on behalf of 15% to 20% downside threat; 2) company remains in the field of a tough competitive fundamental set; and 3) despite pains to expand, we estimate 70% to 75% of its production is joined to PCs.
We are drop our rating on glade (ticker: DELL) shares to Underperform from Neutral and with a 12-month fee target of $15. We believe investor sentiment on glade shares has gotten too clear-cut and arguably complacent. I beg your pardon? We attain attractive is so as to consensus calendar 2012 estimates call on behalf of 2% top-line growth and a 4% decline in the field of balance for each share. This compares to peers IBM (IBM), Apple (AAPL), Cisco Systems (CSCO) and Hewlett-Packard (HPQ), anywhere on the whole are looking on behalf of high-single-digit to low-double-digit EPS growth.
With shares melting up 20% in the field of a favorable equipment tape since the inauguration of the time with arguably nix modify in the field of its rudiments, we get something done not attain the risk-reward compelling by the side of these levels. We perceive restricted upside and the makings on behalf of 15% to 20% downside threat to $14-$16. This is based on I beg your pardon? We think is a reasonable seven time to eight time multiple on consensus calendar 2012 EPS of $2.00 versus peers H-P by the side of six time, Apple by the side of 12 time (nine time not including earn cash), Cisco by the side of 11 time and IBM by the side of 12 time.
We believe glade remains in the field of a tough competitive set sandwiched relating lower-cost players (Lenovo and Acer) and Apple encroaching other in the field of its central part PC production in the function of Macs and iPads acquire share. Despite pains to grow further than a PC company, we estimate 70% to 75% of its production is joined to PCs. This includes peripherals, software, and services. In the field of addition, we perceive H-P, IBM and Cisco competing other in the field of its central part sell in the field of small-medium production (SMB) and servers. We feel about glade in the function of a company in the field of transition so as to needs to take other aggressive steps. A secret threat to our rating is if the impartiality sell continues to survive favorable, causing a broaden upside bias in the field of shares.
We are concerned with Dell's longer-term fundamental set and could play against other complexity making broaden operational improvements. In the field of our feel about, the company faces dreadful competitors in the field of both its central part PC and venture businesses. Our fee target of $15 reflects a 7.5 time multiple on consensus calendar 2012 EPS of $2.00.
The companies mentioned in the field of vehement study are subjects of study reports issued recently by investment firms. Their opinions in the field of nix way speak for individuals of Barrons.Com before Dow Jones & Company, Inc. Share prices by the side of the point in time the turn up was issued and the time of the turn up are in the field of parentheses.