Research Analysts’ updated eps estimates for Monday, August 21st:
Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) had its outperform rating reissued by analysts at Royal Bank Of Canada. The firm currently has a $176.00 target price on the stock.
Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) had its neutral rating reiterated by analysts at Rosenblatt Securities. The firm currently has a $150.00 price target on the stock.
Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) had its overweight rating reaffirmed by analysts at Barclays PLC. They currently have a $200.00 price target on the stock, up from their previous price target of $180.00.
BeyondSpring (NASDAQ:BYSI) had its buy rating reiterated by analysts at HC Wainwright. HC Wainwright currently has a $50.00 price target on the stock.
Commerce Bancshares (NASDAQ:CBSH) was upgraded by analysts at Zacks Investment Research from a hold rating to a buy rating. Zacks Investment Research currently has $61.00 price target on the stock. According to Zacks, “Commerce Bancshares’ shares have outperformed the industry in the last six months. The company's efforts to expand its footprint in newer markets, an improving rate scenario and expectation of lesser regulations are expected to boost revenues further. Also, strong loan and deposit balance should support its profitability. Given a solid liquidity position, the company should be able to continue enhancing shareholder value through efficient capital deployment activities. However, persistently rising expenses (mainly due to increase in personnel costs) and significant exposure to risky loans remains major headwinds.”
Essex Property Trust (NYSE:ESS) had its overweight rating reissued by analysts at Barclays PLC. They currently have a $280.00 price target on the stock, up from their previous price target of $269.00.
IDEX Corporation (NYSE:IEX) was upgraded by analysts at Zacks Investment Research from a hold rating to a buy rating. The firm currently has $127.00 target price on the stock. According to Zacks, “IDEX reported solid second-quarter 2017 results, driven by healthy year-over-year increase in earnings and revenues that also beat the respective Zacks Consensus Estimates. With a flexible yet disciplined focus on cost and productivity, the company expects to successfully tap newer markets to boost its revenue. IDEX further aims to increase its market exposure and improve sales mix by continually developing new products. The company intends to optimize its cost structure, increase its competitiveness and reallocate resources to improve profitability. Management also raised its earlier guidance for 2017 on robust demand patterns and healthy growth dynamics. IDEX outperformed the industry year to date. However, huge recurring R&D expenses increase operating costs and reduce its price control over products, which often result in the loss of market share, declining sales and lower operating margins.”
Integer Holdings (NASDAQ:ITGR) was upgraded by analysts at Zacks Investment Research from a sell rating to a hold rating. According to Zacks, “Integer Holdings derives a significant portion of its revenues from Medicare’s service reimbursement programs. The company expects rental revenue per patient to decline in the future quarters owing to lower reimbursement rates in connection with the nationalization of competitive bidding and continued reimbursement declines. Integer Holdings reported a tepid second-quarter of 2017 missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate on both counts. Over the last one year the company outperformed the broader industry in terms of price performance. Integer Holdings has provided a positive guidance for full-year 2017. The company’s steadfast focus on customer relationship, spotlight on cost reduction, and burgeoning financial performance are the key catalysts in our view. However, revenue headwinds remain a concern, thanks to private insurance rate reductions, higher provisions for rental revenue adjustments, and lower net patient additions.”
The Kraft Heinz (NASDAQ:KHC) was upgraded by analysts at Zacks Investment Research from a sell rating to a hold rating. According to Zacks, “Kraft Heinz enjoys long-standing consumer recognition. Strong brand portfolio, cost savings initiatives, innovation and marketing efforts boost the growth prospects of the company. Though the company’s net sales have been relatively soft, cost savings have led to better results in the second quarter financial results. Moreover, although Kraft Heinz’s shares have performed better than the industry year to date, estimates are trending downward for 2017 and 2018 over the last 90 days. Soft spending by U.S. shoppers and shift in consumer preference toward natural and organic ingredients over packaged and processed food are hurting the company’s categories.”
LifePoint Health (NASDAQ:LPNT) was upgraded by analysts at Zacks Investment Research from a sell rating to a hold rating. According to Zacks, “LifePoint Health’s stock has underperformed the industry in the last six months. The company's inorganic growth strategies which includes acquisition and integration of well-positioned hospitals in the growing areas of the U.S. has added to its scale and size. Its strong balance sheet with ample liquidity is another positive. Nevertheless, the company is faced with increasing expenses which has outpaced revenue growth thereby squeezing operating margins. High bad debt is another concern. The stock has seen the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings being revised 2.9% downward over the last 30 days. During the most recently reported quarter, the company's earnings beat estimates and grew year over year. But following second-quarter results, the company trimmed its 2017 guidance on a challenging volume environment and weak revenue growth.”
Navistar International Corporation (NYSE:NAV) was upgraded by analysts at Zacks Investment Research from a strong sell rating to a hold rating. According to Zacks, “Navistar has outperformed the industry it belongs to over the past three months. The company is focusing on the launch of new products and is making strategic alliances with other companies like Volkwagen, which is expected to increase scale and competitiveness. It is also positioned to benefit from cost-saving initiatives like engine restructuring and reductions in discretionary spending. However, the prevailing economic uncertainties in Brazil and increase in costs, primarily due to changes in fuel emission standards, are some palpable concerns for Navistar. Moreover, it has projected a decline in Class 6–8 retail sale in the U.S. and Canada, which is expected to have a negative influence in the Truck segment’s revenue.”
Keefe, Bruyette & Woods started coverage on shares of Rbb Bancorp (NASDAQ:RBB). They issued an outperform rating and a $25.00 target price on the stock.
Rayonier (NYSE:RYN) was upgraded by analysts at Zacks Investment Research from a hold rating to a buy rating. They currently have $31.00 price target on the stock. According to Zacks, “Shares of Rayonier have outperformed its industry over the last three months. Encouragingly, in the past seven days, earnings estimates for 2017 have also moved up. Early in August, the company reported better-than-expected pro forma net income per share for second-quarter 2017 and raised its 2017 guidance. In addition, pro forma revenue for the quarter surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The company’s portfolio of timberlands reflects geographical diversity. Moreover, it is likely to benefit from the recent developments in biogenetics & cloning that help in fast growth of trees. Rayonier has upgraded its U.S. South portfolio through strategic acquisitions and is expected to gain from the recovery in the country’s housing sector. However, foreign exchange fluctuations, tough compliance requirements and seasonality of the forest products industry remain concerns.”
Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSE:TD) (NYSE:TD) was upgraded by analysts at Scotiabank from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating. The firm currently has C$73.00 price target on the stock, up from their previous price target of C$71.00.
United Natural Foods (NASDAQ:UNFI) was upgraded by analysts at Zacks Investment Research from a sell rating to a hold rating. According to Zacks, “Though shares of United Natural have underperformed the industry in the last three months, its initiatives to boost overall growth remain encouraging. Being the leading distributor of natural, organic and specialty food products, the company also undertakes various acquisitions to grow its distribution network and customer base. Evidently, management completed the integration of Haddon House and Gourmet Guru in third-quarter fiscal 2017. Also, it has been working toward improving its operational efficiencies. However, the company has been struggling with ongoing industry challenges including increased competition. Moreover the grocery business is grappling with food deflation for some time now. An oversupply in some types of food, particularly meat has also dragged prices lower and forced grocery stores into more aggressive promotions. Nonetheless, estimates have remained stable ahead of the company’s fiscal fourth-quarter results.”
