SoundHound AI (NASDAQ:SOUN) is a prominent player in audio and speech recognition technology, leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to provide innovative voice platforms for businesses seeking enhanced conversational experiences. With operations spanning the U.S., Canada, Germany, France, and Japan, SoundHound boasts a diverse product lineup, including the Hound voice assistant, Houndify for developers, and SoundHound music app platforms.
Despite trading 45% below its 52-week high, SoundHound stock has soared an impressive 162% year-to-date, drawing attention from investors. This surge can be attributed to Nvidia’s (NASDAQ:NVDA) investment disclosure in SoundHound, fueling optimism in the market. However, the stock experienced some retracement following a mixed earnings report.
SoundHound’s Q4 results revealed revenue slightly below estimates, totaling $17.15 million, accompanied by a narrower-than-expected loss per share of $0.07. Notably, adjusted EBITDA for the quarter showed significant improvement, signaling positive momentum. On a full-year basis, SoundHound achieved a notable revenue increase of 47% year-over-year (YoY), with a narrower loss per share and improved adjusted EBITDA loss.
Looking ahead to 2024, SoundHound forecasts revenue in the range of $63 million to $77 million, with expectations to surpass $100 million in 2025. The company’s total valuation stands at $1.7 billion, with a robust order backlog of $661 million at the end of 2023, demonstrating promising revenue growth prospects.
Analyst sentiment towards SoundHound stock varies. Cantor Fitzgerald downgraded the stock to “Underweight,” citing challenges in justifying its valuation due to business infancy, operational opacity, decelerating organic growth, and mounting competition. Conversely, DA Davidson reaffirmed its “Buy” rating, highlighting SoundHound’s market share gains and favorable customer interest.
Of the analysts covering the stock, a majority lean towards a positive outlook, with four rating it as “Strong Buy,” one as “Hold,” and one as “Strong Sell.” The consensus “Moderate Buy” rating, coupled with a mean price target of $7.15, suggests an expected upside potential of 28.6% from current levels.
In conclusion, while SoundHound AI has garnered significant attention with its recent surge, investors should weigh both the optimistic growth prospects and the concerns raised by analysts before making investment decisions.
Featured Image: Unsplash
Author Faith Yakubu 
