The A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M) share price is under pressure again on Friday.
At the time of writing, the struggling infant formula company’s shares are down 2% to $5.91.
This means A2 Milk’s shares are now down almost 50% since the start of the year.
Is the weakness in the A2 Milk share price a buying opportunity?
Brokers have been running the rule over the company’s full year results and have given their opinion on whether there’s an investment opportunity here.
One broker that wasn’t impressed with its result was Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG). This morning the broker retained its underperform rating and cut its price target down to $5.40.
Based on the current A2 Milk share price, this implies potential downside of almost 9%.
Macquarie is expecting another tough year in FY 2022 and has downgraded its near term earnings estimates materially to reflect a softer revenue and margin recovery.
A bullish broker
The bulls at Bell Potter disagree and believe the A2 Milk share price is still in the buy zone.
According to the note, the broker has retained its buy rating but cut its price target to $7.70. This implies potential upside of 30% over the next 12 months for its shares.
The broker commented: “Our Buy rating remains unchanged. Sell-in rates materially lagged sell-out rates in 2H21, implying steps to reduce channel inventories have been effective. As revenues more closely align to point of sale trends we would expect top line growth to return, which could well be complemented by internalising supply chain costs in FY23-25e.”
Surprisingly, Bell Potter isn’t alone. The team at Citi has actually upgraded A2 Milk’s shares to a buy rating and increased their price target on them to $7.20.
Its analysts were pleased with the company’s inventory position and brand health in the key China market. Citi believes the latter may be an indication that the A2 Milk brand is much stronger and resilient than previously thought.
Time will tell which broker has made the correct call.
The post Leading brokers give their verdict on the A2 Milk (ASX:A2M) share price appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.
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More reading
- The ASX reporting wrap-up: A2 Milk, Woolworths, Appen
- ASX 200 drops, A2 Milk sinks, Appen plummets
- Here are the 3 heaviest trading ASX 200 shares this Thursday
- Why A2 Milk, Appen, Jumbo, & Link shares are sinking
- Own A2 Milk (ASX:A2M) shares? Here’s what the company has planned for FY22
Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended A2 Milk. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.
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