** Brokerage Barclays initiates healthcare service provider Astrana Health's ASTH.O coverage with rating "equal-weight"
** Brokerage sets PT at $36, representing 20.6% upside to the stock's last close
** Brokerage says the pending deal to acquire Prospect Health is the largest in the company's history, and the near-term execution risks are real given the scale, complexity and associated debt burden
** "This creates an overhang that tempers our excitement for improving industry dynamics and leaves us on the sidelines for now" - Barclays
** ASTH said in November it entered into a definitive agreement to acquire clinical care provider Prospect Health for $745 million
** Barclays says ASTH is well-positioned to capture improving Medicare Advantage rates, which could potentially reduce costs
** Ten of 12 brokerages rate the stock "buy" or higher, 2 "hold"; their median PT is $50.45, according to data compiled by LSEG
** Stock has fallen 6.1% YTD
(Reporting by Siddhi Mahatole)
((siddhi.mahatole@thomsonreuters.com))
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