Carvana stock has been on a remarkable run this year, with a surge of 1,000%. Despite this impressive performance, Wedbush analyst Seth Basham has decided to upgrade the company’s shares.
Carvana experienced some turbulence earlier, but a recent debt exchange provided a much-needed lifeline. It is this debt exchange that motivated Basham to upgrade Carvana stock from Underperform to Neutral. He believes that the debt exchange will grant the company “at least two years of breathing room to execute.” Additionally, Carvana’s profitability has been improving, which could lead to better-than-expected earnings in the third and fourth quarters.
However, Basham did not elevate the stock to Outperform. One reason for his cautious approach is the company’s expectation of a $600 to $1,100 improvement in gross profit per unit (GPU) compared to 2021. The analyst deems this estimate to be too high. Furthermore, Carvana’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) are anticipated to face pressure in 2024 when the company decides to shift its focus back to growth.
It is important to exercise caution when considering Carvana stock, even without these fundamental factors. The shares have already gained an impressive 1,001% in 2023, suggesting that some consolidation may be needed for the company to sustain its turnaround.
In premarket trading, Carvana stock has risen by 0.8% to $52.60 as of 7:59 a.m.
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