Analysts Just Updated Ratings of These 10 Stocks

In this article, we will take a look at the 10 important stock analyst ratings to watch. You can skip our detailed analysis of these companies and go directly to the Analysts Just Updated Ratings of These 5 Stocks.

Investors often use stock ratings before deciding on buying, selling or holding a stock. These ratings also usually come with a price target that helps traders understand how far a stock will move in either direction.

10 Stock Analyst Ratings Everyone is Talking About

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Aerospace giant The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA), aftermarket automotive parts retailer AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO) and agricultural fertilizers maker CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CF) recently came into the limelight after receiving revised recommendations from analysts.

In addition, analysts also updated their ratings for Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE:COF) and Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG). We will discuss the details of the new ratings in the remaining article.

10. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 24

RBC Capital upgraded Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG) on Thursday, June 16, 2022. The research firm improved its ratings for the Illinois-based insurance brokerage company from “Sector Perform” to “Outperform,” and lifted its price target for the stock from $182 per share to $185 per share.

RBC Capital analyst Mark Dwelle believes Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG) has a solid cash flow and great earnings visibility. In a research note to clients, Dwelle said that Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG) ‘s current valuation is a decent entry point to buy the stock.

Separately, Cooper Investors Global Equities Fund mentioned Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG) in its first-quarter 2022 investor letter published in April. Here’s what the fund said about the company:

“In terms of underlying businesses, the portfolio holdings are going well and largely reported solid numbers during earnings season with positive language around the outlook for 2022. Our insurance broker Arthur J Gallagher is a stand-out performer, delivering low-double-digit organic revenue growth at the same time as margin expansion – this is a business that benefit from higher interest rates, emerging risks and inflating premiums. While rising rates, supply chain constraints and war in Europe represent a myriad of challenges for many industries, our view is that our management teams are highly experienced focused operators. They are well equipped to deal with these challenges, having shown great resilience and flexibility during many crises, the most recent example (COVID) proving yet again the power of their business models.”

9. Tri Pointe Homes, Inc. (NYSE:TPH)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 26

Shares of Tri Pointe Homes, Inc. (NYSE:TPH) fell over 12 percent on Thursday, June 16, 2022, after B. Riley downgraded the Nevada-based home construction company  from “Buy” to “Neutral.”

The research firm also cut its price target for Tri Pointe Homes, Inc. (NYSE:TPH) from $26 per share to $20 per share. B. Riley analyst Alex Rygiel sees lower new order activities in the homebuilding industry due to higher interest rates. Rygiel also projected lower gross profit margins and weak new home sales for 2023.

Earlier this year, investment management firm Third Avenue Management discussed the growth potential of Tri Pointe Homes, Inc. (NYSE:TPH) in its fourth-quarter 2021 investor letter. The fund stated:

“Single-Family (4.0% of assets): Tri-Pointe Holdings own highly attractive land assets in supply constrained geographies. The company have taken advantage of the single-family housing boom by monetizing assets at attractive prices despite a challenged cost environment. Tri-Pointe’s exceptional asset quality coupled with insatiable demand for residential housing should allow them to grow intrinsic value despite higher costs and supply chain delays industrywide.”

8. Urban Outfitters, Inc. (NASDAQ:URBN)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 27

B. Riley lowered its ratings for Urban Outfitters, Inc. (NASDAQ:URBN) from “Buy” to “Neutral” on Friday, June 17, 2022. The research firm also slashed its price target for the Pennsylvania-based lifestyle retailer from $35 per share to $23 per share.

B. Riley analyst Susan Anderson said inflation continues to weigh on the consumer sector. She added that Urban Outfitters, Inc. (NASDAQ:URBN) stock would likely stay range-bound until investors get a clear idea about sales trends and promotions.

Anderson also referred to merchandising mistakes indicated by Urban Outfitters, Inc. (NASDAQ:URBN) management, and she believes those missteps will result in increased markdowns.

Like Urban Outfitters, Inc. (NASDAQ:URBN), analysts also updated their ratings for The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA), AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO) and CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CF).

7. Toll Brothers, Inc. (NYSE:TOL)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 29

Toll Brothers, Inc. (NYSE:TOL) is one of the largest homebuilders in the U.S. in terms of revenue. The company designs, builds and sells both residential and commercial properties across the country. It also provides mortgage loans to clients.

The Pennsylvania-based homebuilder was downgraded by Wells Fargo from “Overweight” to “Equal Weight” on Friday, June 17, 2022. The research firm also set a price target of $48 per share for Toll Brothers, Inc. (NYSE:TOL).

Wells Fargo analyst Deepa Raghavan stated that the tumbling U.S. housing data would lead to negative investor sentiment. Raghavan referred to the housing market slowdown due to a sharp rise in interest rates.

Meanwhile, home loans are getting expensive, impacting the purchasing power of many buyers. The trend will impact the growth of leading homebuilders, including Toll Brothers, Inc. (NYSE:TOL).

6. The AZEK Company Inc. (NYSE:AZEK)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 29

Shares of The AZEK Company Inc. (NYSE:AZEK) rose over six percent on Friday, June 17, 2022, after BofA Securities upgraded the outdoor living products maker from “Neutral” to “Buy,” citing the company’s compelling growth potential.

In a research note to clients, BofA analyst Rafe Jadrosich said he expects the composite decking companies, including The AZEK Company Inc. (NYSE:AZEK), to outperform the overall market.

The AZEK Company Inc. (NYSE:AZEK) also grabbed the attention of asset management firm Baron Funds last month. Here’s what the fund said about AZEK in its first-quarter 2022 investor letter:

“As noted earlier in this letter, several residential-related real estate companies corrected sharply in the first quarter of 2022, in part due to concerns about the possibility of a slowdown in the for-sale portion of the U.S. housing market due to consumer affordability concerns and material and labor bottlenecks. Examples of residential-related companies that declined in the first quarter includes: The AZEK Company Inc.: A leading manufacturer of outdoor, non-wood building products including decking, railing, trim, and other leading outdoor products. We believe current valuations for the company now reflect a good portion of a possible temporary slowdown in the U.S. housing market and have begun to offer compelling multi-year return prospects.”

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Disclosure: None. Analysts Just Updated Ratings of These 10 Stocks is originally published on Insider Monkey.