© Reuters.
FRANKFURT – HelloFresh (OTC:) SE, the meal-kit company, experienced a significant decline in share value today after revising its financial outlook for FY23 and warning investors of lower expected earnings. The update, which highlighted supply chain issues and operational delays in the US, set the year’s EBITDA forecast between €430 million and €470 million ($466-$510 million), a notable decrease from the previously anticipated €470-€540 million range.
The new guidance was issued on Wednesday and is substantially below the average analyst estimate of €478.3 million reported by Bloomberg. As a result, HelloFresh’s stock suffered a sharp fall in early Frankfurt trading on Thursday, marking its steepest decline since the company’s IPO in 2017. Shares plummeted by up to 21%, hitting a low of €16.13.
Deutsche Bank responded to the news by downgrading HelloFresh’s rating from “buy” to “hold.” Analysts pointed out the underperformance of the ready-to-eat business Factor and emphasized the importance of achieving consistent growth in the North American meal kit sector. They anticipated a high single-digit percentage drop in the share price for the day, which aligned with the market’s reaction.
The company attributed its revised forecast to slower revenue growth and increased expenses within its North American operations. This setback has raised questions about HelloFresh’s credibility in a market that has become increasingly competitive.
Investors are closely monitoring HelloFresh’s progress as it navigates these challenges, with the company’s performance in North America under particular scrutiny. The market reaction reflects concerns over HelloFresh’s ability to meet its targets and sustain growth amidst operational headwinds.
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