BofA Securities on Monday reduced its price target for Unity Software (NYSE: U) to $18.00 from $21.00 and maintained an Underperform rating on the shares. The firm highlighted valuation concerns even as Unity stock trades substantially higher at $42.34, well above both the prior and the newly set targets.
BofA pointed to Unity's valuation metrics as the core issue. The firm states Unity is trading at 36 times expected 2026 EBITDA - a material premium relative to large-scale online advertising stocks, which it says trade at roughly 18 times on average, and to AppLovin, which it pegs at about 28 times. According to InvestingPro data cited in the research, Unity currently posts a negative price-to-earnings ratio of -40.42 and a Price/Book ratio of 5.66, while a Fair Value analysis indicates the shares are overvalued.
In its note, BofA described Unity as operating in a "quarter to quarter dynamic," arguing the company must consistently show improvement in its Vector product to sustain quarter-over-quarter growth rates above 15%. The firm warned of "significant de-rating risk" should there be any sign of growth deceleration in the Vector product line, stressing that the current elevated valuation leaves little tolerance for disappointment.
BofA reiterated its Underperform stance, stating that "the balance of risk appears asymmetric to the downside" for the game development platform provider.
Those cautious remarks come amid a series of more favorable analyst moves on Unity. Freedom Capital Markets launched coverage with a Buy rating and a $52.00 price target. Wells Fargo raised its price target on Unity from $51.00 to $54.00 and kept an Overweight rating, citing higher expectations for fourth-quarter revenue. BTIG upgraded Unity from Neutral to Buy and set a $60.00 target, pointing to upside in the company’s growth outlook. Piper Sandler moved the stock from Neutral to Overweight and lifted its target to $59.00, calling out growth in Unity’s Vector ad business. Cannonball Research also upgraded Unity to Buy and increased its price target to $54.00, driven by optimism around Vector and potential gains from a technology upgrade cycle.
These recent analyst actions underscore a divergence of views: BofA emphasizes valuation and execution risk tied to Vector’s quarterly performance, while several other firms are bullish on Vector-led revenue growth and have adjusted their ratings and targets upward.
Summary: BofA cut its price target to $18 and kept an Underperform rating due to what it sees as an expensive valuation and limited room for growth misses. Multiple other research firms have upgraded Unity or raised targets, reflecting optimism in the Vector ad product and near-term revenue prospects.