Nike initiated, GM downgraded: Wall Street's top analyst calls
The Fly
15 Apr
Nike initiated, GM downgraded: Wall Street's top analyst calls
The most talked about and market moving research calls around Wall Street are now in one place. Here are today's research calls that investors need to know, as compiled by The Fly.
Top 5 Upgrades:
UBS upgraded HubSpot(HUBS) to Buy from Neutral with a price target of $675, down from $775. The firm cites valuation for the upgrade with the shares down 35% since mid-February
Barclays upgraded Autoliv (ALV) to Overweight from Equal Weight with a price target of $97, down from $110. With the firm's recommendations shifting to a more defensive positioning, it believes Autoliv can relatively outperform the sector.
HSBC upgraded KKR (KKR) to Buy from Hold with a price target of $119, down from $170. The firm says that despite heightened macro uncertainty, it sees opportunities.
Needham upgraded Neurocrine (NBIX) to Buy from Hold with a $138 price target. The firm cites its positive physician survey on Crenessity's ramp in congenital adrenal hyperplasia for the upgrade.
BofA upgraded DuPont (DD) to Neutral from Underperform with a price target of $75, down from $88. While the firm does see earnings risks to DuPont from trade disruptions, it views the near 30% pullback in the shares in the last two months as excessive. BofA also upgraded Westlake (WLK) to Buy from Neutral.
Top 5 Downgrades:
Barclays downgraded General Motors (GM) to Equal Weight from Overweight with a price target of $40, down from $70. The downgrade of GM reflects the company's "significant risk" to near-term earnings from tariffs.
BofA downgraded PepsiCo (PEP) to Neutral from Buy with a price target of $155, down from $185. Frito-Lay North America's growth is likely to remain below long-term trendline this year and while international segments are scaling and making large contributions to sales and profit growth, it's not enough at this point to make up for slower growth at the North American snacks segment, the firm tells investors.
Barclays downgraded Mobileye (MBLY) to Equal Weight from Overweight with a price target of $14, down from $22. The downgrade of Mobileye reflects its thesis that auto tech is at risk of a slower uptake.
Baird downgraded Universal Health (UHS) to Neutral from Outperform with a price target of $224, down from $274. The firm sees minimal incremental buyers of stocks in the managed care and healthcare facilities group until the policy overhang clears. Baird also downgraded Tenet Healthcare (THC), Molina Healthcare (MOH), Elevance Health (ELV) and HCA Healthcare (HCA) to Neutral from Outperform.
Wells Fargo downgraded Howmet Aerospace (HWM) to Equal Weight from Overweight with a price target of $118, down from $132. The firm cut estimates across the aerospace group, as it thinks a global economic slowdown hits both original equipment makers and the aftermarket. Wells also downgraded Hexcel (HXL) to Equal Weight from Overweight.
Top 5 Initiations:
Berenberg initiated coverage of Nike (NKE) with a Hold rating and $58 price target. Within sporting goods, the firm favors incumbents over "challenger brands" given their "deep" franchise values which underpin the long-term sustainability of returns.
Benchmark initiated coverage of MercadoLibre(MELI) with a Buy rating and $2,500 price target. MercadoLibre "stands out as a dominant regional leader in the global e-commerce setting," says the firm.
Piper Sandler initiated coverage of RxSight (RXST) with a Neutral rating and $18 price target. The firm likes the company's novel light adjustable lens technology and that it plays in the "massive" innovative intraocular lens marketplace, but is taking a "wait-and-see approach."
Citi reinstated coverage of Omnicom (OMC) and Interpublic Group (IPG) with Buy ratings and price targets of $103 and $35, respectively. U.S. tariffs will likely hurt U.S. advertising spending, but the firm finds both stocks "very compelling" even with the tariff impact.
Needham initiated coverage of Aurora Innovation(AUR) with a Buy rating and $10 price target. The firm says the company is positioned to leverage its Aurora Driver platform and industry partnerships to create the market for autonomous trucking on U.S. highways.
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