Up roughly 178% across 2024’s trading, SoundHound AI (NASDAQ: SOUN) has been one of this year’s most explosive artificial intelligence (AI) stocks. In fact, the only high-profile name in the space that has posted bigger gains is Super Micro Computer — with its share price up roughly 255% across this year’s first quarter.
While SoundHound AI stock has already recorded incredible gains in a very short time, at least one analyst thinks that it’s on track to head even higher in the near term. In a note published on March 26, Ladenburg analyst Glenn Matson reiterated a buy rating on SoundHound and set a price target of $7 per share on the stock. With the stock closing out Q1 2024 priced at $5.89 per share, that would imply an additional upside of approximately 19%.
Is SoundHound AI stock a buy?
Matson expects that SoundHound will be able to grow its sales at an average annual rate of 50% over the next two years, and that it will shift into profitability on an earnings-before-interest-taxes-deprecation-and-amortization (EBITDA) basis in the second half of 2025. The analyst believes that the company’s voice-based artificial intelligence platform will continue to see strong adoption among business customers and points to growing momentum for the company’s Pillar II software for restaurants as a bullish indicator.
SoundHound could possibly hit Matson’s $7 per share near-term price target, but I think long-term investors should exercise caution. The audio tech specialist is currently trading at roughly 26.2 times this year’s expected sales and has an uncertain path to profitability.
Meanwhile, Supermicro is growing sales fast and trades at roughly 3.9 times this year’s expected sales and 46 times expected earnings. For AI investors, I think Supermicro stock is a more sensible buy than SoundHound.
Should you invest $1,000 in SoundHound AI right now?
Before you buy stock in SoundHound AI, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and SoundHound AI wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than tripled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*.
*Stock Advisor returns as of March 25, 2024
Keith Noonan has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
SoundHound AI Stock Is Headed 19% Higher, According to 1 Wall Street Analyst was originally published by The Motley Fool