Research Analysts’ ratings reiterations for Friday, November 29th:
BHP Billiton (LON:BLT) had its neutral rating reissued by analysts at Credit Suisse. Credit Suisse currently has a GBX 2,250 ($36.52) price target on the stock.
CVS Caremark Corp. (NYSE:CVS) had its overweight rating reissued by analysts at Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley currently has a $65.00 target price on the stock. The analysts wrote, “CVS’ $2.1 billion acquisition of Coram, Apria’s home infusion business should help solidify CVS’ position in the HC continuum and in enhancing its relationships with health systems and ACOs in our view. Importantly, we don’t think deal stands in way of supply chain/sourcing partnership.”
Dominos Pizza Group (LON:DOM) had its neutral rating reissued by analysts at Credit Suisse. They currently have a GBX 535 ($8.68) target price on the stock.
Fifth Street Finance Corp. (NYSE:FSC) had its overweight rating reiterated by analysts at JPMorgan Chase & Co.. The firm currently has a $10.00 price target on the stock, down from their previous price target of $11.00. The analysts wrote, “Fifth Street Finance (ticker: FSC) had a disappointing 4QFY2013, with a dividend cut, lower than expected NII/sh, and NAV dilution. The market seems to have recalibrated expectations lower, as shares traded down approximately 7% since reporting earnings. We are lowering our PT to $10, but with a secure 10% dividend yield and shares trading at a slight discount to NAV, we maintain our Overweight rating.”
InterContinental Hotels Group (LON:IHG) had its neutral rating reissued by analysts at Credit Suisse. They currently have a GBX 1,865 ($30.27) target price on the stock.
Lloyds Banking Group PLC (LON:LLOY) had its neutral rating reiterated by analysts at Credit Suisse. They currently have a GBX 68 ($1.10) target price on the stock.
London Mining Plc (LON:LOND) had its outperform rating reiterated by analysts at Credit Suisse. The firm currently has a GBX 170 ($2.76) price target on the stock.
Merlin Entertainments PLC (LON:MERL) had its neutral rating reaffirmed by analysts at Credit Suisse. Credit Suisse currently has a GBX 352 ($5.71) price target on the stock.
Merck & Co (NYSE:MRK) had its buy rating reissued by analysts at TheStreet. The analysts wrote, “Merck (MRK) has been reiterated by TheStreet Ratings as a buy with a ratings score of B+. The company’s strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures, good cash flow from operations, expanding profit margins and increase in stock price during the past year. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had sub par growth in net income.”
Micron Technology (NYSE:MU) had its buy rating reissued by analysts at TheStreet. The analysts wrote, “Micron Technology (MU) has been reiterated by TheStreet Ratings as a buy with a ratings score of B. The company’s strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, solid stock price performance, impressive record of earnings per share growth, compelling growth in net income and attractive valuation levels. Although no company is perfect, currently we do not see any significant weaknesses which are likely to detract from the generally positive outlook.”
Maxwell Technologies (NASDAQ:MXWL) had its neutral rating reaffirmed by analysts at Piper Jaffray. The firm currently has a $8.50 target price on the stock, up from their previous target price of $8.00. The analysts wrote, “We are staying Neutral following a recent NDR. We think the engine starting business could ultimately drive a several-fold increase in the size of MXWL’s addressable market – and the sheer size of this opportunity gives MXWL ‘multi-bagger’ potential (in our view). However, we think it will be at least a year before this market begins contributing materially to sales. In the meantime, the uncertain fate of China’s hybrid bus subsidy leaves MXWL exposed to a potentially major decline in revenue next year. Happily, plugin hybrid applications appear to be growing faster than we originally thought, which should help limit downside in 2014. We are nudging our price target higher (from $8 to $8.50) and introducing 2015 estimates that imply a return to sales growth.”
Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) had its buy rating reiterated by analysts at TheStreet. The analysts wrote, “Pfizer (PFE) has been reiterated by TheStreet Ratings as a buy with a ratings score of A. The company’s strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures, reasonable valuation levels, solid stock price performance, good cash flow from operations and expanding profit margins. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had sub par growth in net income.”
Pioneer Natural Resources (NYSE:PXD) had its hold rating reissued by analysts at Topeka Capital Markets. They currently have a $210.00 price target on the stock, down from their previous price target of $225.00. The analysts wrote, “PXD announced that severe winter weather has significantly impacted production and drilling operations in the Spraberry/Wolfcamp, Eagle Ford Shale and Barnett Shale Combo plays. With these impacts, we could foresee production coming in below the low-end of its previously issued guidance (179 – 187 Mboe/d). In our view, these weather related impacts will obscure the Company’s production growth from its horizontal Wolfcamp/Spraberry activity in the Permian Basin.We reaffirm our Hold rating and are lowering our PT to $210 (from $225). While PXD is asset-rich (our RNAV is $250), we do not think shares can outperform until its horizontal activity in the Midland Basin can translate into consistent production growth, an event that we expect in mid-to-late 2014.”
RBS (LON:RBS) had its underperform rating reissued by analysts at Credit Suisse. They currently have a GBX 265 ($4.30) target price on the stock.
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:REGN) had its hold rating reissued by analysts at TheStreet. The analysts wrote, “Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (REGN) has been reiterated by TheStreet Ratings as a hold with a ratings score of C+. The company’s strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its robust revenue growth, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures and notable return on equity. However, as a counter to these strengths, we also find weaknesses including unimpressive growth in net income and feeble growth in the company’s earnings per share.”
Renren (NASDAQ:RENN) had its underweight rating reiterated by analysts at Morgan Stanley. The firm currently has a $2.70 target price on the stock, down from their previous target price of $3.10. The analysts wrote, “RENN reported its first YoY revenue decline and the largest quarterly operating loss since IPO. Headwinds from mobile monetization challenges and intensifying competition remain. 4Q sales are expected to drop 36-41% YoY. The share price is supported by high net cash balance and buyback.”
Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) had its buy rating reaffirmed by analysts at TheStreet. The analysts wrote, “Verizon Communications (VZ) has been reiterated by TheStreet Ratings as a buy with a ratings score of A-. The company’s strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, increase in net income, good cash flow from operations, expanding profit margins and growth in earnings per share. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had somewhat disappointing return on equity.”
This article (Research Analysts’ Ratings Reiterations for November, 29th (BLT, CVS, DOM, FSC, IHG, LLOY, LOND, MERL, MRK, MU)) was originally developed by and is property of American Banking News.
Stay on top of analysts' coverage with Analyst Ratings Network's FREE daily email newsletter that provides a concise list of analysts' upgrades and downgrades. Click here to register now.