Stock Analysis

Sezzle Inc. (NASDAQ:SEZL) Stock Rockets 29% But Many Are Still Ignoring The Company

NasdaqCM:SEZL
Source: Shutterstock

Despite an already strong run, Sezzle Inc. (NASDAQ:SEZL) shares have been powering on, with a gain of 29% in the last thirty days. While recent buyers may be laughing, long-term holders might not be as pleased since the recent gain only brings the stock back to where it started a year ago.

Even after such a large jump in price, it's still not a stretch to say that Sezzle's price-to-sales (or "P/S") ratio of 2.8x right now seems quite "middle-of-the-road" compared to the Diversified Financial industry in the United States, where the median P/S ratio is around 2.7x. However, investors might be overlooking a clear opportunity or potential setback if there is no rational basis for the P/S.

View our latest analysis for Sezzle

ps-multiple-vs-industry
NasdaqCM:SEZL Price to Sales Ratio vs Industry May 12th 2024

How Has Sezzle Performed Recently?

Sezzle has been doing a good job lately as it's been growing revenue at a solid pace. It might be that many expect the respectable revenue performance to wane, which has kept the P/S from rising. Those who are bullish on Sezzle will be hoping that this isn't the case, so that they can pick up the stock at a lower valuation.

We don't have analyst forecasts, but you can see how recent trends are setting up the company for the future by checking out our free report on Sezzle's earnings, revenue and cash flow.

How Is Sezzle's Revenue Growth Trending?

There's an inherent assumption that a company should be matching the industry for P/S ratios like Sezzle's to be considered reasonable.

Taking a look back first, we see that the company grew revenue by an impressive 29% last year. The latest three year period has also seen an excellent 124% overall rise in revenue, aided by its short-term performance. Therefore, it's fair to say the revenue growth recently has been superb for the company.

When compared to the industry's one-year growth forecast of 3.6%, the most recent medium-term revenue trajectory is noticeably more alluring

With this information, we find it interesting that Sezzle is trading at a fairly similar P/S compared to the industry. It may be that most investors are not convinced the company can maintain its recent growth rates.

The Key Takeaway

Its shares have lifted substantially and now Sezzle's P/S is back within range of the industry median. It's argued the price-to-sales ratio is an inferior measure of value within certain industries, but it can be a powerful business sentiment indicator.

We've established that Sezzle currently trades on a lower than expected P/S since its recent three-year growth is higher than the wider industry forecast. When we see strong revenue with faster-than-industry growth, we can only assume potential risks are what might be placing pressure on the P/S ratio. At least the risk of a price drop looks to be subdued if recent medium-term revenue trends continue, but investors seem to think future revenue could see some volatility.

Plus, you should also learn about these 3 warning signs we've spotted with Sezzle (including 1 which doesn't sit too well with us).

It's important to make sure you look for a great company, not just the first idea you come across. So if growing profitability aligns with your idea of a great company, take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with strong recent earnings growth (and a low P/E).

New: Manage All Your Stock Portfolios in One Place

We've created the ultimate portfolio companion for stock investors, and it's free.

• Connect an unlimited number of Portfolios and see your total in one currency
• Be alerted to new Warning Signs or Risks via email or mobile
• Track the Fair Value of your stocks

Try a Demo Portfolio for Free

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.

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.