Last Update 09 Dec 25
Fair value Increased 6.64%MODG: Topgolf Stake Sale Will Define Future Focus On Core Franchise
Analysts have raised their fair value estimate for Topgolf Callaway Brands from approximately $11.72 to $12.50, citing the recently announced $1.1B Topgolf stake sale, associated balance sheet de-risking, and the company’s refocus on its core golf equipment franchise as key drivers supporting higher price targets across recent research.
Analyst Commentary
Bullish analysts view the announced Topgolf stake sale as a pivotal step that simplifies the business model, sharpens focus on the higher margin, core equipment franchise, and removes an overhang related to capital intensity and valuation uncertainty around the entertainment assets.
They generally frame the transaction as a way to crystallize value from the Topgolf platform while preserving upside through a retained minority interest, a combination they argue can support a rerating of the equity as execution risk diminishes and earnings visibility improves.
Bullish Takeaways
- Bullish analysts highlight that the 60 percent sale of Topgolf and Toptracer, combined with the retained 40 percent stake, converts a volatile, capital intensive segment into a source of upfront cash and option value. They see this as supportive of higher target prices in the low to mid teens.
- Net proceeds of roughly $770M are viewed as a material de risking catalyst for the balance sheet, with the potential for accelerated debt paydown and targeted reinvestment that could lift returns on capital and narrow the valuation discount to pure play golf equipment peers.
- Several bullish voices emphasize that refocusing on the core golf equipment franchise, following a period of strong demand and positive segment level earnings momentum, increases confidence in execution on growth and margin targets. This underpins Buy ratings even after the initial stock move.
- Some see the recent share price weakness and negative initial reaction to the deal as an opportunity, arguing that the stock screens inexpensive on sum of the parts and EBITDA growth potential, especially as the transaction closing in 2026 approaches and strategic clarity improves.
Bearish Takeaways
- Bearish analysts and more cautious voices point to the implied Topgolf valuation of about $1.1B as disappointing relative to the roughly $2.6B level at the time of the original acquisition and prior internal valuation work. This raises concerns about value destruction and management’s past capital allocation.
- The gap between the deal valuation and higher implied values used in previous sum of the parts frameworks is seen as a headwind for near term sentiment, with some investors likely to reassess longer term growth assumptions and capital deployment discipline.
- Lingering uncertainty around the timing of regulatory approvals, closing conditions, and the ultimate growth trajectory of the retained 40 percent stake leads more cautious analysts to question how quickly the market will fully credit the balance sheet and strategic benefits in the share price.
- A subset of neutral or wary commentators note that while the transaction simplifies the story, it also reduces direct exposure to a potential long duration growth asset. This could limit upside if Topgolf’s operating performance and industry backdrop improve more sharply than currently modeled.
What's in the News
- Topgolf Callaway is in advanced talks to sell a majority stake in its Topgolf unit to private equity firm Leonard Green in a deal valuing the business at about $1 billion, potentially reshaping the company's portfolio mix and balance sheet profile (Wall Street Journal via periodicals).
- The contemplated Topgolf transaction would involve Leonard Green, already a minority investor in the business, increasing its position, though discussions could still fail to produce a final agreement (Wall Street Journal via periodicals).
- Topgolf is set to open its newest two level venue in New Braunfels, Texas, on December 5, marking its 100th U.S. location and 112th global site, underscoring ongoing physical footprint expansion even as strategic options for the business are evaluated (company announcement, business expansion).
- Topgolf Callaway has extended its multi year global licensing agreement with Perry Ellis International for Callaway branded golf and lifestyle apparel through 2032, with plans to introduce a premium Callaway Apparel line by 2028 (company announcement, client agreement).
- The company has raised its full year 2025 consolidated revenue guidance to $3.90 billion to $3.94 billion and increased Topgolf revenue guidance to $1.77 billion to $1.79 billion, reflecting stronger than expected performance and improved trends (company guidance update).
Valuation Changes
- Fair Value Estimate increased modestly from $11.72 to $12.50 per share, implying a slightly higher intrinsic value assessment following the Topgolf stake sale announcement.
- Discount Rate edged lower from approximately 11.45 percent to 11.08 percent, reflecting a modest reduction in perceived risk and cost of capital.
- Revenue Growth remained effectively unchanged at about negative 1.9 percent, indicating no material revision to the long term top line outlook.
- Net Profit Margin was essentially flat at roughly 8.4 percent, suggesting stable expectations for long term profitability.
- Future P/E increased slightly from about 879x to 928x, signaling a marginally higher valuation multiple embedded in the long term model.
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.
- 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 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
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.



