Equities Research Analysts’ updated eps estimates for Monday, September 4th:
American Electric Power (NYSE:AEP) had its hold rating reaffirmed by analysts at Royal Bank Of Canada. Royal Bank Of Canada currently has a $71.00 target price on the stock.
Citrix Systems (NASDAQ:CTXS) had its hold rating reissued by analysts at Royal Bank Of Canada. The firm currently has a $85.00 target price on the stock.
Domino’s Pizza (NYSE:DPZ) was upgraded by analysts at Zacks Investment Research from a hold rating to a buy rating. The firm currently has $204.00 target price on the stock. According to Zacks, “Domino's shares have outpaced the industry year to date. The company’s solid brand positioning should continue to boost sales in the upcoming quarters. Also, efforts to accelerate its presence in high-growth international markets bode well. Notably, the company’s revenues and earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters. In fact, second-quarter 2017 marked the 25th and 94th consecutive quarter of positive same-store-sales domestically and internationally, respectively. Going forward, Domino's initiatives on the digital front, focus on re-imaging and other sales boosting strategies are expected to help sustain the momentum. Yet, higher costs and negative currency translation are likely to hurt profits. A soft consumer spending environment in the U.S. restaurants space might limit revenue growth too.”
Dynegy (NYSE:DYN) had its hold rating reissued by analysts at Royal Bank Of Canada. The firm currently has a $8.00 target price on the stock.
Brinker International (NYSE:EAT) was upgraded by analysts at Zacks Investment Research from a sell rating to a hold rating. According to Zacks, “Brinker’s aggressive expansion strategies and sales building initiatives like streamlining of menu and its innovation, value offerings along with its loyalty program should boost comps. Increased focus on company-owned restaurants, which allows it to have full control over operations, is also expected to boost the bottom as well as the top line. Also, various operational, remodeling and digital initiatives are likely to drive growth. However, the company’s revenues missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in eight of the trailing ten quarters, mainly due to traffic decline at its restaurants. Also, Brinker’s shares have underperformed the industry in the past one year. Further, higher labor as well as costs related to various initiatives might continue to hurt margins, while overall choppiness in the restaurant space might keep on pressurizing comps in the coming quarters.”
HSBC Holdings PLC (NYSE:HSBC) was upgraded by analysts at Zacks Investment Research from a hold rating to a buy rating. The firm currently has $54.00 price target on the stock. According to Zacks, “Shares of HSBC have outperformed the industry in the last six months. Continued success of its cost saving efforts should improve the bank’s operating efficiency and support profitability. While dismal European economic growth and weak loan demand are expected to lead to muted revenue growth, the company will likely benefit from its extensive global network and a solid asset growth. The announcement of $2 billion share repurchase plan reflects its strong capital position and boosts investors’ confidence in the stock.”
LogMein (NASDAQ:LOGM) had its buy rating reiterated by analysts at Royal Bank Of Canada. They currently have a $140.00 price target on the stock.
Liberty Property Trust (NYSE:LPT) was downgraded by analysts at Zacks Investment Research from a buy rating to a hold rating. According to Zacks, “Shares of Liberty Property have outperformed the industry it belongs to, year to date. However, the stock has seen the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year funds from operations (FFO) per share being unchanged in a month’s time. Notably, the company’s industrial portfolio was leased 95.9% at the end of second-quarter 2017, reflecting the strong demand for space at its properties. Also, industrial distribution rents escalated 11.9% on renewal and replacement leases signed during the reported quarter. Moving ahead, Liberty Property is poised for growth as fundamentals of the industrial real estate market remain solid, backed by growing demand, resulting in solid rent increase, enhanced occupancy and development opportunities. However, adverse near-term impact on earnings from dispositions and rise in interest rates remain concerns.”
Martin Marietta Materials (NYSE:MLM) was upgraded by analysts at Zacks Investment Research from a sell rating to a hold rating. According to Zacks, “Martin Marietta’s string of acquisitions, divestitures and attractive shareholder returns are encouraging. Also, an uptick in private and public construction activity will likely boost demand. Government initiatives toward finance infrastructure projects are expected to grow and continue to play an extended role in public sector activity. However, shares of Martin Marietta have underperformed the industry year to date. Adverse weather conditions and lower margins in aggregates downstream operations are marring the company’s prospects. Earnings estimates for both the current quarter and year moved down 2.9% over the past 60 days.”
Meritor (NYSE:MTOR) had its buy rating reaffirmed by analysts at Royal Bank Of Canada. The firm currently has a $23.00 price target on the stock.
NetScout Systems (NASDAQ:NTCT) had its hold rating reissued by analysts at Royal Bank Of Canada. They currently have a $35.00 price target on the stock.
Pepsico (NYSE:PEP) was downgraded by analysts at Zacks Investment Research from a buy rating to a hold rating. According to Zacks, “PepsiCo’s shares outperformed the industry to which it belongs in the past one year. The company has been doing well on the back of significant innovation, continued momentum in Frito-Lay business, revenue management strategies, improved productivity and cost-saving initiatives, along with better market execution. Moreover, it has been seeing higher volumes and profits in the North American segments due to an improving economy, better industry pricing dynamics and a consistency in positive innovation. It rolled out several products recently which management believes will drive sales and profits in 2017. That said, growing health awareness has been hurting the CSD category, resulting in a 3% volume decline in the first half of 2017 in North America.”
PS Business Parks (NYSE:PSB) was downgraded by analysts at Zacks Investment Research from a buy rating to a hold rating. According to Zacks, “Shares of PS Business Parks have outperformed the industry it belongs to, year to date. However, the stock has seen the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year funds from operations (FFO) per share being unchanged in a month’s time. Notably, the company’s second-quarter 2017 adjusted FFO per share surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Particularly, Same Park NOI climbed 5.2% year over year, mainly on the back of improving rental rates and occupancy. The company’s diversified portfolio and its ample liquidity augur well for long-term growth. Further, healthy fundamentals in the multi-tenant flex, office, and industrial asset categories are anticipated to stoke growth, while portfolio repositioning strategies will likely help the company emerge stronger. However, unfavorable leasing environment in certain markets, intense competition from developers, owners and operators, and hike in interest rate remain key concerns.”
PTC (NASDAQ:PTC) had its buy rating reaffirmed by analysts at Royal Bank Of Canada. They currently have a $65.00 target price on the stock.
Royal Bank Scotland PLC (The) (NYSE:RBS) was upgraded by analysts at Royal Bank Of Canada from an underperform rating to a sector perform rating.
Repsol SA (NASDAQ:REPYY) was downgraded by analysts at Deutsche Bank AG from a hold rating to a sell rating.
RWE AG (NASDAQ:RWEOY) was downgraded by analysts at Berenberg Bank from a buy rating to a hold rating.
Statoil ASA (NYSE:STO) was upgraded by analysts at Deutsche Bank AG from a sell rating to a hold rating.
Washington Federal (NASDAQ:WAFD) was downgraded by analysts at Zacks Investment Research from a buy rating to a hold rating. According to Zacks, “Shares of Washington Federal have outperformed the industry so far this year. The performance was supported by the company’s impressive earnings surprise history. It surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings in all the trailing four quarters. The company is well positioned to benefit from continued improvement in loan balances and a rising rate scenario. Further, the deal to acquire Anchor Bancorp is anticipated to be accretive to earnings. However, elevated expenses mainly due to integration charges related to Anchor Bancorp deal and branch acquisitions are expected to hurt bottom line growth. Also, exposure to risky loan portfolios is likely to keep financials under pressure.”
Weyerhaeuser (NYSE:WY) had its buy rating reiterated by analysts at Royal Bank Of Canada. They currently have a $40.00 price target on the stock.
