KeyBanc downgrades Akamai Technologies (NASDAQ:AKAM) from Sector Weight to Underweight with a $51 price target, which is 23% below yesterday's closing price.
Analyst Brandon Nispel says activist Elliot Management’s involvement increases the chance of a takeout. But Nispel doesn’t think a takeover is likely with the currently “elevated” valuation given Akamai’s “deteriorating fundamental profile.”
Under a leveraged buyout, Nispel thinks the company could receive a 20% to 25% premium.