CD Projekt: expensive after the rally (downgraded to SELL)
We have downgraded CD Projekt (CDR) to SELL (from Hold), on valuation grounds. We have revised up our 12M price target (PT) to PLN 157 (from PLN 120), mostly to reflect our increased price point assumption for AAA games in the mid-term, corresponding with rising games’ development budgets. We also implement slightly more optimistic assumptions for the back-catalogue sales and the Cyberpunk sequel (Orion) sales volumes. At the same time, we note that CDR’s share price has rallied by 50% since our November 2023 update, outperforming the WIG20 index by a strong 47ppts, which we do not see as fully justified. We believe that the nearest AAA release from CDR will be Polaris, from The Witcher universe, in 2027E (vs. our assumption of 2026E previously). This implies three “gap” years (2024-26E) in a row. Even if we take into account the extended five-year earnings outlook, to account for the 2027-28E releases, our 2024-28E average EPS forecasts for CDR imply a P/E of 24.5x, still a 38% premium vs. its global peers, which we see as unjustified.CD Projekt is a holding company of the CD PROJEKT Capital Group which conducts its operations in two activity segments: CD PROJEKT RED and GOG.com. CD PROJEKT RED's activities cover the creation and publication of videogames, licensing the associated distribution rights and manufacturing tie-in products which exploit the commercial appeal of brands owned by Co. The activities of GOG Ltd. involve digital distribution of videogames via Co.'s proprietary GOG.com distribution platform, on the basis of contracts signed by GOG Ltd. with producers, IPR holders and external publishers. The platform enables customers to purchase games, remit payment and download game files to their personal devices.
WOOD & Company is the leading investment bank in Emerging Europe. Founded in 1991 and head-quartered in Prague, our footprint spans the region and touches investors around the globe.
A pioneer in Emerging Europe, WOOD executed many of the first CEE equity trades and landmark investment banking transactions. Our electronic trading platform was the first in the region, and remains the best. We are continually expanding our relevance and reach in these ever-evolving markets.
Our equity market share reflects our stature: 7% in Warsaw, 20% in Bucharest, 16% in Hungary, 40% in Prague and 5% in Vienna. Our distribution is unparalleled, with the largest salesforce in the region, servicing a uniquely diverse investor base.
We couple local expertise with a truly international perspective. With offices on the ground in the region, and in key financial hubs such as London and Milano, we are never far from our clients and we remain at the forefront of what’s afoot in the CEE emerging and frontier landscape.
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