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Palantir Technologies (PLTR) is a leading software company providing data analysis and decision-making solutions that leverage artificial intelligence (AI). Its products are Palantir Foundry, Palantir Gotham, Palantir Apollo, and Artificial Intelligence Platform (AIP), targeting both governments and commercial clients.
With a market capitalization of $182.7 billion, Palantir shot to fame alongside the AI surge, gaining a massive 950% since 2023 and 360% over the past 52 weeks.
Despite its success in recent years the stock appears to be struggling at the moment. Shares are up just 6.8% in the year to date and are trading almost 6% below their 52-week high of $84.80 set last week on Jan. 24.
Palantir Is the “Perfect” Stock
Investor’s Business Daily has published a list of 28 so-called “perfect” stocks. The list features artificial intelligence heavyweights like Nvidia (NVDA), Arista Networks (ANET), Meta Platforms (META), and more. In addition to AI stocks, it also has Netflix (NFLX), Duolingo (DUOL), Olo (OLO), and Marex (MRX).
A total of 7 conditions were set for inclusion on the list. Companies had to have a current share price of $12 or higher and a 50-day average trading volume of more than 400,000 shares. Additionally, they had to score above certain thresholds in categories like earnings per share and relative strength.
Palantir Beats Estimates
Palantir released its third-quarter results last year on Nov. 4. Its profit of $144 million translated to $0.06 per share, and its adjusted earnings per share came in at $0.10. This beat the analyst estimate of $0.09 per share. The company saw revenue rise 30% year-over-year to $725.5 million, beating the analyst estimate of $703.7 million.
The AI company’s EBITDA was $283.6 million, against analysts’ $244.9 million estimate. Its EBITDA margin increased to 39.1% from 30.8% reported in the same quarter last year. GAAP gross margin remained unchanged at 79.8%. Its cash and cash equivalents balance dipped to $768 million from the $831 million reported at the end of 2023, but its free cash flow margin shot up to 60%.
Management also hiked their outlook for 2024 with revenue now expected between $2.805 billion to $2.809 billion with adjusted income from operations to be between $1.054 billion and $1.058 billion. Free cash flow guidance is hiked to more than $1 billion.
For the ongoing Q4, Palantir anticipates revenue in the range of $767 million to $771 million while adjusted income from operations is anticipated between $298 million and $302 million.
Palantir is set to release its fourth-quarter results after the market closes on Feb. 3, 2025.
Analysts’ Take on PLTR Stock
Palantir’s surge in the recent past has left analysts chasing after the stock. The stock has a consensus “Hold” rating with a mean price of $47.29, signifying downside potential of 40%. Shares are trading far above the average price target, although the Street-high price target of $90 represents 12.5% upside potential.
