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Expanded Value Offerings And New Venues Will Drive Active Leisure

Published
12 Sep 24
Updated
25 Nov 25
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AnalystConsensusTarget's Fair Value
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1Y
40.7%
7D
13.6%

Author's Valuation

US$11.720.3% undervalued intrinsic discount

AnalystConsensusTarget Fair Value

Last Update 25 Nov 25

Fair value Increased 6.03%

MODG: Business Simplification And Asset Sale Will Define Forward Outlook

Analysts have raised their price target for Topgolf Callaway Brands from approximately $11.06 to $11.72 per share. They cite transaction-driven business simplification and improved strategic clarity as key factors behind the modest increase.

Analyst Commentary

Recent analyst coverage of Topgolf Callaway Brands highlights both optimism and caution following the company’s agreement to sell a majority stake in its Topgolf and Toptracer businesses. The transaction, announced at an implied $1.1 billion valuation, prompted an array of valuation assessments and strategic commentary among industry watchers.

Bullish Takeaways

  • Bullish analysts view the transaction as providing crucial business simplification. This allows management to sharpen strategic focus on core golf equipment offerings and increase operational efficiency.
  • The influx of $770 million in net proceeds is seen as enhancing financial flexibility, particularly for debt reduction and selective reinvestment. These factors could support long-term earnings growth.
  • Some believe the company now benefits from improved strategic clarity, especially with the rebranding to focus more directly on golf. This positions it to take better advantage of positive industry trends.
  • Valuations are considered compelling by some, as shares are viewed as inexpensive relative to underlying growth prospects and EBITDA potential after the deal.

Bearish Takeaways

  • Bearish analysts are disappointed by the implied $1.1 billion deal valuation. They note this represents a significant reduction from the company's prior acquisition value and previous sum-of-the-parts estimates.
  • There are concerns about the negative market reaction soon after the announcement, which suggests market skepticism regarding the expected benefits of the transaction.
  • Some express reservations that, while the partial sale generates liquidity, retaining a minority stake could complicate future growth participation or strategic moves.

What's in the News

  • Topgolf Callaway Brands is in advanced discussions to sell its Topgolf unit to Leonard Green, a private-equity firm that had previously invested in Topgolf, in a deal reportedly valued at around $1 billion (The Wall Street Journal).
  • Sources note that while a deal could be finalized soon, there remains a possibility the negotiations will not result in a transaction (The Wall Street Journal).
  • Topgolf is preparing to open its newest venue in New Braunfels, Texas, on December 5. This marks the company’s 100th U.S. location and 112th globally (Company announcement).
  • The new Topgolf New Braunfels venue will offer 62 climate-controlled hitting bays, a full-service restaurant, and enhanced entertainment features, including Toptracer ball-tracking technology and a new golf game challenge (Company announcement).
  • Topgolf Callaway Brands has extended its licensing agreement with Perry Ellis International for Callaway-branded golf and lifestyle apparel through 2032, with plans to launch a premium lineup by 2028 (Company announcement).

Valuation Changes

  • Consensus Analyst Price Target has risen slightly, increasing from $11.06 to $11.72 per share.
  • Discount Rate edged up marginally from 11.24% to 11.45%, reflecting a minor adjustment in the risk premium.
  • Revenue Growth projections have improved, with the expected decline narrowing from -9.7% to -1.9%.
  • Net Profit Margin estimates have fallen significantly, decreasing from 5.8% to 0.08%.
  • Future P/E ratio projections have increased dramatically, climbing from 11.93x to 879.99x.

Key Takeaways

  • Enhanced value offerings, digital upgrades, and strategic cost measures are boosting traffic, operational efficiency, and financial flexibility, supporting both margin and earnings improvement.
  • Ongoing innovation, new golf products, and global expansion are strengthening brand equity, sustaining revenue growth, and capitalizing on the experiential leisure trend.
  • Aggressive discounting, margin pressures, segment and geographic weaknesses, and strategic uncertainty all pose significant risks to sustained growth and profitability.

Catalysts

About Topgolf Callaway Brands
    Designs, manufactures, and sells golf equipment, golf and lifestyle apparel, and other accessories in the United States, Europe, Asia, and Internationally.
What are the underlying business or industry changes driving this perspective?
  • Initiatives to improve Topgolf's perceived value-such as expanded value offerings, subscription passes, and targeted event pricing-are driving an inflection in traffic growth (up 6% in Q2 and 12% in early Q3), positioning the brand to leverage increased consumer demand for active, social recreation; these efforts are likely to accelerate revenue growth and provide a buffer for comps in weaker macro environments.
  • Continued innovation and new product launches in the golf equipment segment, combined with strong consumer health and engagement in the U.S., are supporting higher brand equity and expanding market share, which should drive sustained top-line growth and potentially improved operating margins.
  • The successful rollout of digital technology and new point-of-sale systems across Topgolf venues is enabling higher spend per visit, better customer experience, and increasing operating efficiencies, which points to improved net margins and enhanced ancillary revenues over time.
  • Ongoing international expansion and new venue openings are adding to the recurring and predictable revenue base; this plays directly into the global trend of rising participation in experiential leisure activities and underpins longer-term earnings and cash flow growth.
  • Strengthened financial flexibility from the sale of non-core assets (Jack Wolfskin) and targeted cost reduction measures enhances the company's ability to reinvest in high-ROI initiatives, support growth, and improve margins, all of which are expected to positively impact earnings and return on equity.

Topgolf Callaway Brands Earnings and Revenue Growth

Topgolf Callaway Brands Future Earnings and Revenue Growth

Assumptions

How have these above catalysts been quantified?
  • Analysts are assuming Topgolf Callaway Brands's revenue will decrease by 0.5% annually over the next 3 years.
  • Analysts are not forecasting that Topgolf Callaway Brands will become profitable in next 3 years. To represent the Analyst Price Target as a Future PE Valuation we will estimate Topgolf Callaway Brands's profit margin will increase from -36.1% to the average US Leisure industry of 5.1% in 3 years.
  • If Topgolf Callaway Brands's profit margin were to converge on the industry average, you could expect earnings to reach $209.7 million (and earnings per share of $1.15) by about September 2028, up from $-1.5 billion today.
  • In order for the above numbers to justify the analysts price target, the company would need to trade at a PE ratio of 13.0x on those 2028 earnings, up from -1.1x today. This future PE is lower than the current PE for the US Leisure industry at 24.0x.
  • Analysts expect the number of shares outstanding to remain consistent over the next 3 years.
  • To value all of this in today's terms, we will use a discount rate of 12.32%, as per the Simply Wall St company report.

Topgolf Callaway Brands Future Earnings Per Share Growth

Topgolf Callaway Brands Future Earnings Per Share Growth

Risks

What could happen that would invalidate this narrative?
  • The continued softness in the 3+ Bay corporate event business and Active Lifestyle segment (with athleisure demand down mid
  • to high single digits) suggests vulnerability to broader declines in discretionary consumer and corporate spending, which could pressure both Topgolf and apparel revenues if economic conditions or spending patterns worsen.
  • Topgolf's improved traffic has been achieved through aggressive value initiatives and price reductions (e.g., half-off game play, Summer Fun Pass), which have driven same venue sales declines (~6-9% negative comp guidance) despite higher visitation, indicating a risk that sustained reliance on discounting will erode average ticket size and limit revenue and earnings growth over time.
  • The company faces ongoing margin and gross profit pressures from rising tariffs ($40 million expected hit in 2025, up from $25 million estimated), with management noting possible further tariff increases and a more competitive launch cadence in golf equipment-both of which may weigh on net margins and operating income if not fully offset by cost reductions.
  • International and segment-specific weaknesses (softer conditions in Asia and Central Europe, market share declines in certain areas, and a normalization in Topgolf inventory after a supplier factory issue) highlight risks from economic or supply chain disruptions that could constrain sales growth and introduce further volatility to revenue.
  • Execution and strategic risks remain elevated, including Topgolf's pending leadership change and ongoing uncertainty and complexity around a spin or sale of the Topgolf business, which could disrupt integration, capital allocation, and result in inefficiencies or hinder long-term earnings stability until resolved.

Valuation

How have all the factors above been brought together to estimate a fair value?
  • The analysts have a consensus price target of $10.5 for Topgolf Callaway Brands based on their expectations of its future earnings growth, profit margins and other risk factors. However, there is a degree of disagreement amongst analysts, with the most bullish reporting a price target of $13.0, and the most bearish reporting a price target of just $9.0.
  • In order for you to agree with the analyst's consensus, you'd need to believe that by 2028, revenues will be $4.1 billion, earnings will come to $209.7 million, and it would be trading on a PE ratio of 13.0x, assuming you use a discount rate of 12.3%.
  • Given the current share price of $9.13, the analyst price target of $10.5 is 13.0% higher.
  • We always encourage you to reach your own conclusions though. So sense check these analyst numbers against your own assumptions and expectations based on your understanding of the business and what you believe is probable.

How well do narratives help inform your perspective?

Disclaimer

AnalystConsensusTarget is a tool utilizing a Large Language Model (LLM) that ingests data on consensus price targets, forecasted revenue and earnings figures, as well as the transcripts of earnings calls to produce qualitative analysis. The narratives produced by AnalystConsensusTarget are general in nature and are based solely on analyst data and publicly-available material published by the respective companies. These scenarios are not indicative of the company's future performance and are exploratory in nature. Simply Wall St has no position in the company(s) mentioned. Simply Wall St may provide the securities issuer or related entities with website advertising services for a fee, on an arm's length basis. These relationships have no impact on the way we conduct our business, the content we host, or how our content is served to users. The price targets and estimates used are consensus data, and do not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and they do not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Note that AnalystConsensusTarget's analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material.

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