Wilh. Wilhelmsen Holding ASA Just Beat EPS By 64%: Here's What Analysts Think Will Happen Next

Wilh. Wilhelmsen Holding ASA (OB:WWI) defied analyst predictions to release its quarterly results, which were ahead of market expectations. The company beat forecasts, with revenue of US$265m, some 3.4% above estimates, and statutory earnings per share (EPS) coming in at US$2.44, 64% ahead of expectations. Following the result, the analysts have updated their earnings model, and it would be good to know whether they think there's been a strong change in the company's prospects, or if it's business as usual. So we collected the latest post-earnings statutory consensus estimates to see what could be in store for next year.

Check out our latest analysis for Wilh. Wilhelmsen Holding

After the latest results, the twin analysts covering Wilh. Wilhelmsen Holding are now predicting revenues of US$1.09b in 2024. If met, this would reflect an okay 5.5% improvement in revenue compared to the last 12 months. Statutory earnings per share are expected to decrease 5.5% to US$10.22 in the same period. In the lead-up to this report, the analysts had been modelling revenues of US$1.04b and earnings per share (EPS) of US$8.50 in 2024. So it seems there's been a definite increase in optimism about Wilh. Wilhelmsen Holding's future following the latest results, with a considerable lift to the earnings per share forecasts in particular.

Despite these upgrades,the analysts have not made any major changes to their price target of kr543, suggesting that the higher estimates are not likely to have a long term impact on what the stock is worth.

Of course, another way to look at these forecasts is to place them into context against the industry itself. The analysts are definitely expecting Wilh. Wilhelmsen Holding's growth to accelerate, with the forecast 7.4% annualised growth to the end of 2024 ranking favourably alongside historical growth of 4.7% per annum over the past five years. By contrast, our data suggests that other companies (with analyst coverage) in a similar industry are forecast to grow their revenue at 0.8% per year. Factoring in the forecast acceleration in revenue, it's pretty clear that Wilh. Wilhelmsen Holding is expected to grow much faster than its industry.

The Bottom Line

The most important thing here is that the analysts upgraded their earnings per share estimates, suggesting that there has been a clear increase in optimism towards Wilh. Wilhelmsen Holding following these results. Happily, they also upgraded their revenue estimates, and are forecasting them to grow faster than the wider industry. The consensus price target held steady at kr543, with the latest estimates not enough to have an impact on their price targets.

Following on from that line of thought, we think that the long-term prospects of the business are much more relevant than next year's earnings. We have analyst estimates for Wilh. Wilhelmsen Holding going out as far as 2026, and you can see them free on our platform here.

We don't want to rain on the parade too much, but we did also find 1 warning sign for Wilh. Wilhelmsen Holding that you need to be mindful of.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.