Stellantis N.V.Key arguments in support of the idea
The company's shipments are projected to recover in the latter half of the year.
STLA's valuation appears significantly lower compared to its industry peers
Investment Thesis
Stellantis N.V. Stellantis N.V. (STLA), a leading global automotive manufacturer, stands as a dominant force in both North American and European markets. The company boasts a diverse and comprehensive portfolio of automobile brands, encompassing renowned names such as Jeep, Fiat, Peugeot, Maserati, Dodge, Opel, and Chrysler. Ranking among the top five automakers worldwide in passenger car shipments, Stellantis derives approximately 45% of its total revenue from its sales in North America.
Last week, the White House signaled a policy shift by announcing the easing of tariffs for the automotive industry, providing a potentially positive catalyst for automaker stocks. On April 3, the U.S. imposed a 25% tariff on the importation of foreign-manufactured automobiles. This measure will be extended to include similar duties on imported auto parts beginning May 3. The Big Three, namely Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis, produces a portion of its vehicles and several auto parts for the U.S. market in Canada and Mexico. Consequently, these companies
have experienced significant stock declines since the beginning of the year, attributable to the new tariffs. Notably, while three out of every five cars sold by Stellantis in the U.S. are assembled domestically, approximately 20% of their components are imported and thus subject to the 25% tariff. Last Tuesday, President Donald Trump unveiled relaxed tariffs on auto parts, permitting U.S. automakers to reclaim up to 3.75% of the car’s total cost at retail for previously paid duties. This tariff relief could substantially aid Stellantis in recuperating most of its tariff expenses. If 20% of all components in automobiles produced in the region are subject to the 25% tariff, the effective tariff cost on the total vehicle will be 5%, of which 3.75% can be reimbursed. Thus, without any immediate alterations to their supply chains—which they currently have no plans to modify—the duty on a U.S.- manufactured vehicle effectively reduces to 1.25% of its final retail price. While closures and suspensions of certain production sites are inevitable, the overall impact of these duties is less severe than anticipated just weeks prior. It is our assessment that these Big Three automobile manufacturers possess the resilience and strategic capability to navigate and adapt to the newly imposed tariff environment.
Stellantis is strategically realigning its model portfolio, signaling a potential recovery in its market share. In the first quarter of 2025, the automaker unveiled three new models and is poised to introduce an additional ten models aimed at the U.S. and European markets by year's end. This comes despite a 9% y/y decline in shipments during the first quarter. However, the company has managed to bolster its market share in Europe, a trend attributed to the invigorated product lineup. We anticipate that this revitalization will enable Stellantis to achieve a 7.8% y/y increase in shipments during the second half of the year, reaching 2.8 million units. Nonetheless, first-half shipments are expected to remain subdued, a development largely anticipated by current consensus estimates.
STLA shares remain notably undervalued within the automotive sector, presenting a more economical option compared to its peers. Currently, Stellantis is trading at a 2024 EV/EBITDA multiple of 1.4x, significantly lower than the median figure of 3.8x for the six largest U.S. automakers by market share. This year, the company is confronting a "double whammy" of challenges. In addition to contending with the potential financial burden of tariffs, Stellantis has also been grappling with substantial inventory levels—a repercussion of its waning pricing competitiveness. Despite these hurdles, we view this as a strategic opportunity to initiate a long position. It is anticipated that the automotive giant will navigate the emerging challenges of 2025 effectively.
Our target price for the Company is set at $11.3, with a "Buy" recommendation. To mitigate any potential downside risks, we suggest setting a stop-loss at $8.7.
