Arista Networks, Inc. Quarterly Earnings Preview - May 7, 2024

Arista Networks, Inc. Quarterly Earnings Preview

On Tuesday, May 7, 2024, Arista Networks, Inc. (ANET:NYSE) is set to unveil its quarterly earnings after the market closes, with Wall Street analysts forecasting an earnings per share (EPS) of $1.74 and expecting the revenue to hit around $1.55 billion. This anticipation sets the stage for a potentially significant moment for the company, as it aims to demonstrate its financial health and operational success during the quarter.

Leading up to the earnings release, Arista Networks has seen a positive trend in earnings estimate revisions, as reported by Zacks Investment Research on May 6, 2024. This positive momentum is underscored by a favorable Zacks Earnings ESP (Earnings Surprise Prediction), hinting that Arista might surpass the earnings expectations set by Wall Street. Such a development could be a testament to the company's robust performance and strategic initiatives that have possibly enhanced its profitability and market position.

Moreover, Arista Networks has been identified by Zacks Investment Research as one of the top five large-cap stocks poised to exceed earnings expectations in what is considered the second busiest week of the first-quarter earnings season. With over 1,900 companies reporting, ANET's inclusion in this select group reflects the optimism surrounding its financial prospects, driven by its strong Zacks Rank and the potential for an earnings beat. This optimism is further bolstered by the broader market context, where, as of May 3, a significant portion of S&P 500 companies have already reported a commendable increase in earnings and revenues year-over-year, setting a positive backdrop for Arista's upcoming earnings report.

Arista Networks' expected year-over-year growth in earnings and revenues for the quarter ending in March 2024 aligns with the broader positive earnings trend observed in the market. The company's performance is eagerly anticipated, with the potential to influence its stock price significantly. Should Arista exceed the forecasted figures, it could see a favorable stock price movement. However, any deviation from the expected results might pose challenges. The forthcoming earnings call will be crucial, as management's insights into business conditions and future outlook will play a pivotal role in shaping investor sentiment and expectations.

In its latest quarterly results, Arista Networks reported revenue of approximately $1.54 billion with a notable gross profit of nearly $999.23 million, showcasing the company's ability to manage its costs effectively while driving revenue growth. The operating income and EBITDA figures further highlight Arista's operational efficiency and profitability, with net income standing at an impressive $613.64 million. These financial metrics not only demonstrate Arista Networks' solid financial standing but also its potential to continue delivering strong financial performance in the future.

Symbol Price %chg
7751.T 4086 -2.52
2382.TW 281 2.31
005070.KS 34450 1.74
AXIO.JK 129 -2.33
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Arista Networks Remains a Top Pick at Evercore

Evercore ISI lowered its price target on Arista Networks (NYSE:ANET) to $100 from $130 while reaffirming an Outperform rating, citing tariff-related earnings pressure and a cautious market narrative. Despite a 33% year-to-date drop in the stock and bearish sentiment fueled by speculation of lost business at Meta and Oracle, Evercore believes the downside risks are overstated.

The firm contends that Arista remains well positioned to meet its $750 million AI back-end revenue target and maintain its full-year revenue guidance, even under one of the most pessimistic outlooks the stock has seen in years. While some believe Arista will struggle to achieve more than high-teens growth in 2025, Evercore anticipates growth in the low 20s, supported by ongoing gains in enterprise networking and potential upside from Apple’s growing AI infrastructure investments.

Tariffs are expected to modestly weigh on margins, prompting a 2% EPS trim per quarter due to a 10% import tax on non-China sourcing. However, Arista’s global manufacturing footprint in Mexico and Malaysia helps cushion the blow. Evercore sees the upcoming Q1 earnings on May 6 as a potential positive catalyst for shares and has added ANET to its tactical outperform list, maintaining its top pick status despite the price target cut.

Arista Networks Remains a Top Pick at Evercore

Evercore ISI lowered its price target on Arista Networks (NYSE:ANET) to $100 from $130 while reaffirming an Outperform rating, citing tariff-related earnings pressure and a cautious market narrative. Despite a 33% year-to-date drop in the stock and bearish sentiment fueled by speculation of lost business at Meta and Oracle, Evercore believes the downside risks are overstated.

The firm contends that Arista remains well positioned to meet its $750 million AI back-end revenue target and maintain its full-year revenue guidance, even under one of the most pessimistic outlooks the stock has seen in years. While some believe Arista will struggle to achieve more than high-teens growth in 2025, Evercore anticipates growth in the low 20s, supported by ongoing gains in enterprise networking and potential upside from Apple’s growing AI infrastructure investments.

Tariffs are expected to modestly weigh on margins, prompting a 2% EPS trim per quarter due to a 10% import tax on non-China sourcing. However, Arista’s global manufacturing footprint in Mexico and Malaysia helps cushion the blow. Evercore sees the upcoming Q1 earnings on May 6 as a potential positive catalyst for shares and has added ANET to its tactical outperform list, maintaining its top pick status despite the price target cut.

JPMorgan Reaffirms Bullish Stance on Arista Networks, Sees Strong Upside Potential

JPMorgan analysts maintained an Overweight rating on Arista Networks (NYSE:ANET) with a $140 price target, adding the stock to the Analyst Focus List as a compelling growth opportunity following its recent pullback.

The decline in Arista’s stock has been driven by concerns over AI-related spending cuts from cloud providers and potential market share losses to white-box competitors. However, JPMorgan believes these risks are overstated and unlikely to significantly impact Arista’s long-term growth trajectory.

Currently, Arista shares are trading at 28x projected 2026 earnings, which, while not at a deep discount, still leaves room for substantial upside. The firm sees multiple growth catalysts, including stronger-than-expected earnings in 2025 and accelerating revenue growth in 2026 and 2027, fueled by rising Ethernet adoption in AI data centers and increasing customer demand for Ethernet-driven AI infrastructure.

With earnings momentum and valuation expansion potential, JPMorgan views Arista as well-positioned for long-term gains.

JPMorgan Reaffirms Bullish Stance on Arista Networks, Sees Strong Upside Potential

JPMorgan analysts maintained an Overweight rating on Arista Networks (NYSE:ANET) with a $140 price target, adding the stock to the Analyst Focus List as a compelling growth opportunity following its recent pullback.

The decline in Arista’s stock has been driven by concerns over AI-related spending cuts from cloud providers and potential market share losses to white-box competitors. However, JPMorgan believes these risks are overstated and unlikely to significantly impact Arista’s long-term growth trajectory.

Currently, Arista shares are trading at 28x projected 2026 earnings, which, while not at a deep discount, still leaves room for substantial upside. The firm sees multiple growth catalysts, including stronger-than-expected earnings in 2025 and accelerating revenue growth in 2026 and 2027, fueled by rising Ethernet adoption in AI data centers and increasing customer demand for Ethernet-driven AI infrastructure.

With earnings momentum and valuation expansion potential, JPMorgan views Arista as well-positioned for long-term gains.

Arista Networks Delivers Strong Q4 Results, But Stock Drops on Meta Revenue Decline

Arista Networks (NYSE:ANET) posted better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings and revenue, while issuing an upbeat forecast for the current quarter, as the AI-driven surge in data center expansion continues to fuel demand for its networking equipment.

The company, which counts tech heavyweights Meta Platforms and Microsoft as key clients, has been leveraging the AI boom to drive sales of its Ethernet switches and routers, critical components for next-generation data centers.

For Q4, Arista reported adjusted earnings per share of $0.65 on revenue of $1.93 billion, surpassing analyst estimates of $0.57 per share and $1.90 billion in revenue. The company noted that it outperformed expectations across all key financial metrics.

Looking ahead, Arista projects Q1 revenue between $1.93 billion and $1.97 billion, ahead of Wall Street’s forecast of $1.91 billion, signaling continued strong customer demand.

Despite the positive outlook, some uncertainties loom over near-term growth. Analysts have pointed to potential delays in a Microsoft-related project and unclear timelines for Nvidia’s new AI-optimized Blackwell chips, which could affect Arista’s deployment cycles.

Market volatility in AI-driven tech stocks has also pressured Arista’s share price in 2025, especially after the emergence of a low-cost, open-source AI model from Chinese startup DeepSeek raised concerns about whether mega-cap tech firms will sustain their massive AI spending levels.

Adding to investor jitters, Morgan Stanley analysts highlighted a 17% year-over-year decline in revenue from Meta, calling it a key trend to watch. While they acknowledged the near-term weakness, they maintained a bullish stance on Arista’s long-term outlook, viewing pullbacks as a buying opportunity. As a result, the company’s shares fell more than 6% intra-day today.

Arista Networks Delivers Strong Q4 Results, But Stock Drops on Meta Revenue Decline

Arista Networks (NYSE:ANET) posted better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings and revenue, while issuing an upbeat forecast for the current quarter, as the AI-driven surge in data center expansion continues to fuel demand for its networking equipment.

The company, which counts tech heavyweights Meta Platforms and Microsoft as key clients, has been leveraging the AI boom to drive sales of its Ethernet switches and routers, critical components for next-generation data centers.

For Q4, Arista reported adjusted earnings per share of $0.65 on revenue of $1.93 billion, surpassing analyst estimates of $0.57 per share and $1.90 billion in revenue. The company noted that it outperformed expectations across all key financial metrics.

Looking ahead, Arista projects Q1 revenue between $1.93 billion and $1.97 billion, ahead of Wall Street’s forecast of $1.91 billion, signaling continued strong customer demand.

Despite the positive outlook, some uncertainties loom over near-term growth. Analysts have pointed to potential delays in a Microsoft-related project and unclear timelines for Nvidia’s new AI-optimized Blackwell chips, which could affect Arista’s deployment cycles.

Market volatility in AI-driven tech stocks has also pressured Arista’s share price in 2025, especially after the emergence of a low-cost, open-source AI model from Chinese startup DeepSeek raised concerns about whether mega-cap tech firms will sustain their massive AI spending levels.

Adding to investor jitters, Morgan Stanley analysts highlighted a 17% year-over-year decline in revenue from Meta, calling it a key trend to watch. While they acknowledged the near-term weakness, they maintained a bullish stance on Arista’s long-term outlook, viewing pullbacks as a buying opportunity. As a result, the company’s shares fell more than 6% intra-day today.

Arista Networks, Inc. (NYSE:ANET) Announces 1-for-4 Stock Split

  • Arista Networks, Inc. (NYSE:ANET) underwent a 1-for-4 stock split, adjusting share prices but not the company's market value.
  • Stock splits, though less common, remain significant in the market, with companies like Broadcom and Nvidia also participating in similar actions.
  • Despite stock splits attracting investor attention, other factors such as market conditions and company performance play more crucial roles in stock prices.

On December 4, 2024, Arista Networks, Inc. (NYSE:ANET) underwent a 1-for-4 stock split. Arista Networks is a leading provider of cloud networking solutions, competing with companies like Cisco and Juniper Networks. The stock split means that for every four shares owned, shareholders now have one share, effectively increasing the share price while maintaining the company's overall market value.

Stock splits, like the one ANET executed, have become less common but still hold significance in the market. As highlighted by 24/7 Wall Street, major companies such as Broadcom, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Sony, and Walmart have also announced stock splits recently. These events often generate interest as they can influence stock performance, although they do not change the company's market capitalization.

Nvidia's 10-for-1 stock split in June serves as a notable example. Despite the split, Nvidia's stock traded between $99 and $135 per share until October, with investor concerns about chip shipment delays impacting its price more significantly. This highlights that while stock splits can attract attention, other factors often play a more crucial role in determining stock performance.

Arista Networks, along with Palo Alto, is set to join the ranks of companies like Nvidia, Broadcom, and Super Micro in announcing stock splits for 2024. ANET's stock is currently priced at $414.46, reflecting a 1.06% increase. The stock has fluctuated between $406.41 and $416.19 today, with a 52-week high of $431.97 and a low of $212.47. The company's market capitalization stands at approximately $130.53 billion, with a trading volume of 1,763,441 shares today.