SPX Technologies, the once-promising entity known for its production of heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning equipment along with engineered products, faced a grim turn of fortune on Wednesday. Financial-services powerhouse Oppenheimer dealt a harsh blow by downgrading SPX Technologies (SPX) from its previous pedestal of Outperform to the more modest rating of Perform. What spurred this downgrade? Well, it appears that SPX Technologies had basked in a stock market glow that had nearly tripled its value over the last couple of years.
Amidst this stunning reversal, Bryan Blair, the insightful analyst at Oppenheimer, remarked in a report dated July 17, “The stock’s significant trailing outperformance has driven valuation to levels that seem to fairly reflect SPX’s compounder trajectory. Given the recent step change in buyside expectations and corresponding impact on the margin of safety, we move to the sidelines (for now) on one of our favorite long-term stories.”
Adding to the narrative, Oppenheimer revised its earnings forecast for SPX (SPX), now expecting earnings per share of $5.40 for 2024, rising marginally from the previous projection of $5.38. Additionally, the forecast for 2025 was adjusted to $6.20 from the earlier estimate of $6.10.
Moreover, the firm took a bold step by suspending its price target for SPX (SPX) in light of the rating shift, leaving investors to reconcile the stark realities of SPX Technologies’ newfound position in the market.