Is Palantir Stock a Buy After Its Beat-And-Raise Quarter?
Palantir stock is rallying Tuesday after the data analytics firm beat Q2 earnings estimates and raised its full-year outlook. Here's what you need to know.
Palantir Technologies (PLTR) stock is soaring Tuesday after the data analytics firm beat top- and bottom-line expectations for its second quarter and raised its full-year revenue forecast.
In the three months ended June 30, Palantir's revenue increased 27.2% year-over-year to $678.1 million, driven by 54.6% growth from U.S. commercial customers to $159.2 million and strong growth in its Artificial Intelligence Platform (AIP). Its earnings per share (EPS) improved to 9 cents from 5 cents in the year-ago period, up 80%.
"The growth of our business has been re-accelerating steadily, and we see an unprecedented opportunity ahead to capture and build on that momentum," wrote Palantir CEO Alex Karp in his letter to shareholders. "Our growth across the commercial and government markets has been driven by an unrelenting wave of demand from customers for artificial intelligence systems that go beyond the merely performative and academic."
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
The results surpassed analysts" expectations. Wall Street was anticipating revenue of $653 million and earnings of 8 cents per share, according to MarketWatch.
As a result of its strong performance in the first half of 2024, Palantir raised its full-year revenue forecast. The company now anticipates revenue to arrive between $2.742 billion to $2.75 billion, up from its previous forecast of revenue in the range of $2.677 billion to $2.689 billion. The revised outlook includes U.S. commercial revenue growth of at least 47% to over $672 million, up from its prior guidance for growth of at least 45% to over $661 million.
Is Palantir stock a buy, sell or hold?
Although Palantir is up 51% for the year to date, Wall Street is on the sidelines when it comes to the tech stock. According to S&P Global Market Intelligence, the average analyst target price for PLTR stock is $24.56, representing a discount of roughly 7% to current levels. Additionally, the consensus recommendation is Hold.
Still, there are some bulls to be found, including in financial services firm Wedbush, which has with an Outperform rating (equivalent to a Buy). The group also hiked its price target on Palantir after earnings.
"We are raising our price target to $38 from $35 as the AIP story now takes hold for the Palantir story," said Wedbush analyst Daniel Ives in a note. "We maintain our Outperform rating with our bull case $50. This was a game changer quarter for the Palantir story as the AIP monetization piece on U.S. commercial was front and center as a major growth driver."
Wedbush's $38 price target is the highest on Wall Street and sits 44% higher than where Palantir is currently trading.
Related Content
Get Kiplinger Today newsletter — free
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.
Joey Solitro is a freelance financial journalist at Kiplinger with more than a decade of experience. A longtime equity analyst, Joey has covered a range of industries for media outlets including The Motley Fool, Seeking Alpha, Market Realist, and TipRanks. Joey holds a bachelor's degree in business administration.
-
House GOP Bill Aims to Abolish the IRS and Rewrite the Tax Code
Tax Policy The stability of the IRS faces yet another challenge as the U.S. presidency changes hands.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Published
-
More Taxes Could Slam New Yorkers Over MTA Budget Shortfall
State Taxes Lawmakers warn that New Yorkers may need to brace for more taxes.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Published
-
Irrevocable Trusts: So Many Options to Lower Taxes and Protect Assets
Irrevocable trusts offer nearly endless possibilities for high-net-worth individuals to reduce their estate taxes and protect their assets.
By Rustin Diehl, JD, LLM Published
-
Stock Market Today: Dow Leads as UnitedHealth Stock Pops
UnitedHealth was the best Dow Jones stock Monday on reports that Medicare Advantage payments could rise in 2026.
By Karee Venema Published
-
How to Organize Your Financial Life (and Paperwork)
To simplify the future for yourself and your heirs, put a financial contingency plan in place. The peace of mind you'll get is well worth the effort.
By Leslie Gillin Bohner Published
-
Financial Confidence? It's Just Good Planning, Boomers Say
Baby Boomers may have hit the jackpot money-wise, but many attribute their wealth to financial planning and professional advice rather than good timing.
By Joe Vietri, Charles Schwab Published
-
Will You Be Able to Afford Your Dream Retirement?
You might need to save more than you think you do. Here are some expenses that might be larger than you expect, along with ways to ensure you save enough.
By Stacy Francis, CFP®, CDFA®, CES™ Published
-
Three Steps to Simplify Paying Your Taxes in Retirement
Once you retire, how you pay some of your taxes can change. Here's how to get a handle on them so you don't run afoul of the IRS and face penalties.
By Evan T. Beach, CFP®, AWMA® Published
-
More SECURE 2.0 Retirement Enhancements Kick in This Year
Saving for retirement gets a boost with these SECURE 2.0 Act provisions that are starting in 2025.
By Mike Dullaghan, AIF® Published
-
Saving for Your Emergency Fund: As Easy as 1-3-6
An emergency fund that can cover six months' worth of expenses is far easier to build if you focus on smaller goals at first.
By Anthony Martin Published