Evaluating Flex (FLEX) After Raymond James Upgrade On Cloud And AI Growth Potential

A Raymond James upgrade has put Flex (FLEX) back on investors’ radar after the firm cited its role in cloud and AI infrastructure and highlighted differentiated power solutions for hyperscale data centers and higher margin power operations.

See our latest analysis for Flex.

Flex’s recent pullback, with a 1 day share price return of 3.71% decline to US$63.04, comes after a steadier 30 day share price return of 4.34% and a much stronger 1 year total shareholder return of 51.36%. This suggests longer term momentum remains intact despite short term volatility around the Raymond James upgrade and the focus on its cloud and AI infrastructure exposure.

If Flex’s AI and data center story has your attention, it could be a good moment to scan other high growth tech and AI stocks that are also tied to these themes.

Flex’s shares now sit at a modest 4% intrinsic discount and about a 17% gap to analyst targets. The stock has already delivered a 51.36% 1-year return, so is there still a buying opportunity here, or is the market already pricing in future growth?

Advertisement

Most Popular Narrative: 14.5% Undervalued

Flex's most followed narrative points to a fair value of about $73.70 versus the last close at $63.04, putting the current discount clearly in focus.

The ongoing surge in demand for data center and AI infrastructure requiring integrated power, cooling, and advanced IT hardware positions Flex for sustained, outsized revenue growth, as evidenced by the 35% forecasted annual increase in its data center segment, supporting both topline expansion and higher portfolio margins. Flex's global manufacturing footprint, especially its ability to regionalize and rapidly scale production across North America and Europe, aligns with accelerating customer efforts to de risk and diversify supply chains.

Read the complete narrative.

Curious what sits behind that fair value gap? The narrative leans heavily on earnings expansion, margin uplift, and a re rated earnings multiple tied to AI centric revenue.

Result: Fair Value of $73.70 (UNDERVALUED)

Have a read of the narrative in full and understand what's behind the forecasts.

However, that upside story still hinges on concentrated hyperscaler clients and thin margins, so any insourcing or pricing pressure could quickly challenge those fair value assumptions.

Find out about the key risks to this Flex narrative.

Build Your Own Flex Narrative

If you look at the numbers and reach a different conclusion, or simply prefer to test your own view, you can build a custom thesis in just a few minutes with Do it your way.

A great starting point for your Flex research is our analysis highlighting 4 key rewards and 1 important warning sign that could impact your investment decision.

Looking for more investment ideas?

If Flex has sharpened your thinking, do not stop there. Use the Simply Wall St Screener to quickly spot fresh angles you might otherwise miss.

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.

New: AI Stock Screener & Alerts

Our new AI Stock Screener scans the market every day to uncover opportunities.

• Dividend Powerhouses (3%+ Yield)
• Undervalued Small Caps with Insider Buying
• High growth Tech and AI Companies

Or build your own from over 50 metrics.

Explore Now for Free

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

About NasdaqGS:FLEX

Flex

Provides technology innovation, supply chain, and manufacturing solutions to data center, communications, enterprise, consumer, automotive, industrial, healthcare, industrial, and power industries.

Flawless balance sheet and good value.

Advertisement

Weekly Picks

JO
Jolt_Communications
MYSE logo
Jolt_Communications on Myseum ·

The Future of Social Sharing Is Private and People Are Ready

Fair Value:US$7.9577.1% undervalued
19 users have followed this narrative
0 users have commented on this narrative
0 users have liked this narrative
TO
Tokyo
ASML logo
Tokyo on ASML Holding ·

EU#3 - From Philips Management Buyout to Europe’s Biggest Company

Fair Value:€1.31k7.1% undervalued
26 users have followed this narrative
2 users have commented on this narrative
11 users have liked this narrative
YI
BKNG logo
yiannisz on Booking Holdings ·

Booking Holdings: Why Ground-Level Travel Trends Still Favor the Platform Giants

Fair Value:US$5.47k8.5% undervalued
6 users have followed this narrative
0 users have commented on this narrative
4 users have liked this narrative
CO
composite32
SHEL logo
composite32 on Shell ·

A fully integrated LNG business seems to be ignored by the market.

Fair Value:UK£36.122.6% undervalued
35 users have followed this narrative
0 users have commented on this narrative
9 users have liked this narrative

Updated Narratives

BL
BlackGoat
PLTR logo
BlackGoat on Palantir Technologies ·

Palantir: Redefining Enterprise Software for the AI Era

Fair Value:US$107.0237.0% overvalued
194 users have followed this narrative
6 users have commented on this narrative
1 users have liked this narrative
AN
andre_santos
MSFT logo
andre_santos on Microsoft ·

Microsoft - A Fundamental and Historical Valuation

Fair Value:US$437.171.6% undervalued
17 users have followed this narrative
4 users have commented on this narrative
0 users have liked this narrative
UN
unknown
MRK logo
unknown on Merck ·

The Oncology Anchor: Why Merck’s 46% Discount Defies the Keytruda Cliff

Fair Value:US$201.5645.3% undervalued
1 users have followed this narrative
0 users have commented on this narrative
0 users have liked this narrative

Popular Narratives

OO
NEO logo
OOO97 on Neo Performance Materials ·

Undervalued Key Player in Magnets/Rare Earth

Fair Value:CA$25.3324.4% undervalued
71 users have followed this narrative
0 users have commented on this narrative
19 users have liked this narrative
AN
AnalystConsensusTarget
NVDA logo
AnalystConsensusTarget on NVIDIA ·

NVDA: Expanding AI Demand Will Drive Major Data Center Investments Through 2026

Fair Value:US$253.0224.5% undervalued
1047 users have followed this narrative
6 users have commented on this narrative
31 users have liked this narrative
AN
AnalystConsensusTarget
AMZN logo
AnalystConsensusTarget on Amazon.com ·

AMZN: Acceleration In Cloud And AI Will Drive Margin Expansion Ahead

Fair Value:US$295.6119.1% undervalued
1342 users have followed this narrative
5 users have commented on this narrative
11 users have liked this narrative

Trending Discussion

JA
jayhcee
MPAA logo
jayhcee on Motorcar Parts of America ·

MPAA often has inventory and core-related timing issues. While this quarter’s problems may ease, similar issues have recurred historically and can persist for several quarters. It's not a one-off, it's a structural part of their business. Core returns are simply estimates: How many customers will actually return the original part; how quickly they'll do so; how many are useable; what they're worth, etc. MPAA predicts X sales in a quarter and Y core returns and its reserves, inventory values, etc. are based on that. If they expect a 90% core return rate and only 80% come back it doesn't change cash but they have to write down inventory and increase cost of goods sold which impacts EPS. They've also cited inventory buildup at key customers multiple times in the past. The assumption the latest backlog will all shift into future quarters this year with no impact on pricing, etc. seems more like wishful thinking. Retailer X was slated to buy $10m in parts this quarter but finds they have a lot more inventory on hand than they anticipated so they pushed the order. Realistically there are likely to be SKU cuts, reduction in safety stock on others, etc. Assuming that all $10m will come in this year plus the regular replenishment seems pretty unrealistic. MPAA also has a shaky track record when it comes to new lines and the supposed impact on business. If you look at the EV testing solutions hype back around 2020 that was supposed to diversify them beyond traditional reman and be a higher margin business that would grow with EV adoption. But it has never turned into a material contributor. The debt reduction and stock buy backs are meaningful but IMHO this narrative takes a very optimistic view of things.

0
|
0
Advertisement