Top broker gives its verdict on the REA (ASX:REA) share price

Is there still time to buy REA shares?

The REA Group Limited (ASX: REA) share price stormed to a record high on Friday following the release of its first quarter update.

The online property listings company's shares jumped 8% to $180.67 before ending the period at $176.81.

This means the REA share price is now up just under 15% since the start of the year.

Young couple standing next to a sold sign after buying a house.

Image source: Getty Images

Can the REA share price keep rising?

The good news is that one leading broker still sees value in the REA share price at the current level.

According to a note out of Goldman Sachs, its analysts have retained their buy rating and lifted their price target on the company's shares by 2% to $193.00.

Based on the current REA share price, this implies potential upside of 9.2% for investors over the next 12 months.

What did the broker say?

Goldman was pleased with REA's "strong" first quarter result. It notes that price increases and stronger than expected depth advertising uptake were highlights during the period.

In response, the broker has lifted its earnings estimates for the company and the target on the REA share price accordingly.

Goldman commented: "The strong REA result was driven by momentum in residential listings (+11%), the impact of July price rises (c.8%), and better than expected benefits from depth uptake and adjacent services (i.e. Audience maximiser). REA broke out full-year core operating cost guidance for high single digits (Excl. India/MOC), with domestic costs offsetting savings from PropertyGuru/99 Group changes, while it signaled a reduction in associate contributions due to Move reinvestment and recent acquisitions."

"Overall we revise higher our FY22 listing assumptions (+2% vs. -3% prior) but continue to expect declines in 2H22 (+7%/-3% in 1H/2H22 given the Fed election & tough comparable in 4Q21). Combined with higher yield growth & domestic opex assumptions, our FY22-24 core Australia EBITDA is +1% to +5%. When including the higher associate contributions our REA FY22-24 EPS +1% to +4% and our 12m SOTP-based TP increases +2% to A$193," the broker added.

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended REA Group Limited. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

More on Broker Notes

Two smiling work colleagues discuss an investment at their office.
Broker Notes

Experts name 3 top ASX shares to buy this week

Here's what analysts are recommending to investors this week.

Read more »

A male sharemarket analyst sits at his desk looking intently at his laptop with two other monitors next to him showing stock price movements
Broker Notes

Buy, hold, sell: JB Hi-Fi, Sandfire Resources, Ramsay Health Care shares

Let's start the week with some new ratings from market experts. 

Read more »

A female sharemarket analyst with red hair and wearing glasses looks at her computer screen watching share price movements.
Broker Notes

Buy, hold, sell: Santos, BHP, Telstra shares

Here's what Michael Gable from Fairmont Equities thinks of these three ASX 200 shares.

Read more »

Couple using their digital tablet together.
Broker Notes

Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy next week

Brokers gave buy ratings to these ASX shares last week. Why are they bullish?

Read more »

Young successful engineer, with blueprints, notepad, and digital tablet, observing the project implementation on construction site and in mine.
Broker Notes

Why the Paladin Energy share price "doesn't make sense"

This uranium stock could be set for a major re-rating.

Read more »

Two miners standing together.
Broker Notes

3 ASX 200 mining shares to buy with 41% to 79% upside ahead: broker

The green energy transition and other factors are providing strong growth drivers for mining.

Read more »

Happy miner with his arms folded.
Broker Notes

Buy, hold, sell: Paladin Energy, Fortescue, Rio Tinto shares

Let's take a look at some new ratings from Morgans.

Read more »

a man in a business suite throws his arms open wide above his head and raises his face with his mouth open in celebration in front of a background of an illuminated board tracking stock market movements.
Broker Notes

9 ASX 200 shares experts are backing for growth amid market weakness

Brokers retained a positive view on BHP, CSL, Telstra, Xero, and other shares this week. 

Read more »