IPG Photonics slammed as Needham downgrades on Russian exposure

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IPG Photonics (NASDAQ:IPGP) shares fell sharply on Thursday, as investment firm Needham downgraded the semiconductor company, noting its exposure to Russia has weighed heavily on its outlook.

Analyst James Ricchiuti, who previously had a buy rating on the stock, lowered it to hold, noting that the worries over the company's exposure to Russia was warranted, but the situation is not getting better, prompting the downgrade.

"With nearly $1.5B of net cash, we believe there is support to the stock at current levels," Ricchiuti wrote in a note to clients. "That said, we believe the uncertainty over our 2022 and 2023 estimates warrants moving to the sidelines."

IPG Photonics (IPGP) shares fell nearly 9% to $114.14 in early Thursday trading.

In addition, although IPG Photonics (IPGP) has noted that its facilities in Russia are operating and manufacturing optical components for its operations in the U.S., Germany and China, the company is working on contingencies in the event that challenges relating to Russia's invasion "worsen" or additional sanctions are placed on the country.

Last month, IPG Photonics (IPGP) said it promoted Felix Stukalin to chief operating officer of the company.

Comments

[Wurlitzer]

I sold my IPGP years ago when I learned of its activities in Russia. No point in supporting probable intellectual theft by an adversary.

[bluescorpion0]

sadly people are captive of a broken system and therefore the pragmatic investor is forced to limit investment even if it was a great management team