HCP, Inc. (HCP) Upgraded at Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

HCP, Inc. (NYSE:HCP) was upgraded by investment analysts at Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The) from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report issued on Wednesday.

Several other research firms have also weighed in on HCP. Vetr lowered HCP from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and set a $30.75 price target on the stock. in a research report on Tuesday, December 20th. Barclays PLC reissued an “equal weight” rating and set a $32.00 price target on shares of HCP in a research report on Thursday, January 5th. RBC Capital Markets set a $30.00 target price on HCP and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 3rd. Zacks Investment Research upgraded HCP from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $41.00 target price on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 5th. Finally, Bank of America Corporation upgraded HCP from an “underperform” rating to a “neutral” rating and set a $38.50 target price on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, October 4th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, fourteen have issued a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. HCP has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $33.35.

Source: American Banking and Market News

Wal-Mart vs Target – Stock Faceoff: Giants Of Retail

On the back of a strong holiday season, retailers are back in the spotlight. To start out the new year, we want to take the time to circle back to two of our previous long ideas on some of the giants in the retail industry: Wal-Mart (WMT) and Target (TGT).

We recommended both of these companies to investors in 2015. So far, both picks have underperformed. WMT is up 1% since our call, vs. 14% for the S&P 500. TGT has dropped by 11% while the S&P is up 6%.

Both stocks still look sound, while earning our Attractive rating. Since these are two of the largest retailers in America, and direct competitors, it seems fair to ask: which is the better stock for investors in 2017?

In this article, we will judge Wal-Mart and Target on five key categories:

Profitability

Valuation

Cash Flow Yield

Corporate Governance

Growth Opportunities

Two stocks enter. One stock leaves. Who will emerge the champion in this faceoff of retail giants?

Source: ValueWalk

Apple Inc. (AAPL) Downgraded by Barclays PLC

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) was downgraded by Barclays PLC to an “equal weight” rating in a note issued to investors on Tuesday.

Several other equities analysts also recently commented on AAPL. Piper Jaffray Cos. reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $151.00 price objective on shares of Apple in a research note on Monday, September 26th. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $123.00 price objective on shares of Apple in a research note on Monday, September 26th. Bank of America Corp. reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $125.00 price objective on shares of Apple in a research note on Tuesday, September 27th. Brean Capital reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Apple in a research note on Wednesday, September 28th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $125.00 price objective on shares of Apple in a research note on Wednesday, September 28th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating, forty-one have assigned a buy rating and three have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. The company has an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $130.13.

Source: Sports Perspectives

Barclays PLC Downgrades Unilever plc (UL)

Unilever plc (NYSE:UL) was downgraded by stock analysts at Barclays PLC from an “overweight” rating to an “equal weight” rating in a research note issued to investors on Monday.

Other equities research analysts also recently issued research reports about the stock. Jefferies Group upgraded shares of Unilever plc from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 13th. Zacks Investment Research upgraded shares of Unilever plc from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 16th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut Unilever plc from an “overweight” rating to a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 7th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. Unilever plc currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $46.00.

Source: Sports Perspectives

Qualcomm Inc. (QCOM) Downgraded by CLSA and Nomura

Qualcomm Inc. (NASDAQ:QCOM) was downgraded by stock analysts at CLSA from a “buy” rating to an “underperform” rating in a report issued on Monday.

Other equities research analysts have also recently issued research reports about the stock. Nomura cut shares of Qualcomm from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and lowered their target price for the stock from $80.00 to $70.00 in a research note on Monday. Instinet cut shares of Qualcomm from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and set a $70.00 target price on the stock. in a research note on Monday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and set a $70.00 target price (up previously from $63.00) on shares of Qualcomm in a research note on Monday, October 3rd. Cowen and Company reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $74.00 target price on shares of Qualcomm in a research note on Monday, November 7th. Finally, Susquehanna began coverage on shares of Qualcomm in a research note on Tuesday, December 20th. They set a “positive” rating and a $80.00 target price on the stock. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, twenty have issued a hold rating, seventeen have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. The stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $67.68.

Source: Intercooler Financial

Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) Downgraded by Wells Fargo & Co.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) was downgraded by investment analysts at Wells Fargo & Co. from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating in a research report issued on Monday.

VZ has been the subject of several other reports. Jefferies Group reiterated a “hold” rating and issued a $53.00 price target on shares of Verizon Communications in a report on Friday, December 16th. Vetr downgraded Verizon Communications from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and set a $52.38 price target for the company. in a report on Monday, January 2nd. Morgan Stanley reiterated an “overweight” rating and issued a $60.00 price target on shares of Verizon Communications in a report on Sunday, October 23rd. HSBC Holdings plc upgraded Verizon Communications from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $61.00 price target for the company in a report on Thursday. Finally, Cowen and Company reiterated a “market perform” rating and issued a $50.00 price target on shares of Verizon Communications in a report on Sunday, October 23rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, twenty-three have given a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the stock. Verizon Communications has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $54.48.

Source: Financial Market News

This Week's Most Significant Insider Trades: January 16-20, 2017

Timothy D. Cook Sells 30,000 Shares of Apple Inc. (AAPL) Stock:

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) CEO Timothy D. Cook sold 30,000 shares of Apple stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, January 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $120.00, for a total transaction of $3,600,000.00. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 

Source: The Cerbat Gem Investing News and Analysis

Harry A. Wolin Sells 33,928 Shares of Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD) Stock:

Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NASDAQ:AMD) SVP Harry A. Wolin sold 33,928 shares of Advanced Micro Devices stock in a transaction on Sunday, January 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $9.96, for a total transaction of $337,922.88. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 821,602 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,183,155.92. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website.

Source: The Cerbat Gem Investing News and Analysis

Target Drops 8% On Another Disappointing Report – An Update For Dividend Investors

Target (TGT) is a popular holding across many dividend growth investors’ portfolios.

After all, few companies can match Target’s impressive track record.

With over 100 years of operating history, Target has proven to be one of the most durable companies in the world.

The company also holds the title of being a dividend aristocrat, rewarding shareholders with 49 consecutive years of payout raises. You can view analysis on all of the dividend aristocrats here.

Despite Target’s impressive history, the company has fallen on hard times recently. Once fourth quarter results are finalized, Target’s revenue will have declined year-over-year for five consecutive quarters.

Target’s stock has disappointed investors as well, trailing the S&P 500 by more than 20% over the last year.

After dropping by 8% since revising its guidance earlier this week, Target’s shares offer investors a yield above 3.7% and trade for less than 14 times 2016 earnings – a large discount to the broader market.

Let’s take a closer look at the issues impacting Target to determine if the stock might make sense for our Conservative Retirees dividend portfolio, which seeks to preserve capital and deliver a very safe, above average dividend yield.

Source: TalkMarkets

Are You Undervaluing These 3 Biopharmas' Pipelines?

The drugs in research and development at Gilead Sciences, Johnson & Johnson, and AbbVie could reward investors with multiple blockbuster wins in the coming years.

Biopharma companies are continously investing in new development projects to offset the risks of competition and patent expirations, but sometimes, the nature of business' landscape can keep investors from seeing opportunities that may be lurking in research-and-development pipelines. For instance, while challenges facing Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ:GILD), Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ), and AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV) shouldn't be ignored, each has compelling products under development that could send shares soaring someday.

Source: The Motley Fool

Berenberg Bank Upgrades National Grid PLC (NGG) to Buy

National Grid PLC (NYSE:NGG) was upgraded by equities research analysts at Berenberg Bank from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report issued on Friday.

NGG has been the topic of several other reports. Zacks Investment Research upgraded National Grid PLC from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 3rd. Beaufort Securities restated a “buy” rating on shares of National Grid PLC in a research report on Friday, December 9th. Deutsche Bank AG restated a “hold” rating on shares of National Grid PLC in a research report on Friday, December 9th. Argus upgraded National Grid PLC from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, December 1st. They noted that the move was a valuation call. Finally, Investec upgraded National Grid PLC from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, January 13th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. The stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $72.50.

Source: The Cerbat Gem Investing News and Analysis

Visa Inc. (V) Earns Outperform Rating from Analysts at Wedbush

Wedbush initiated coverage on shares of Visa Inc. (NYSE:V) in a research note issued on Friday. The brokerage set an “outperform” rating on the credit-card processor’s stock.

A number of other brokerages also recently weighed in on V. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $96.00 price target on shares of Visa in a report on Monday, October 24th. Citigroup Inc. reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $92.00 price target on shares of Visa in a report on Monday, October 24th. Guggenheim downgraded Visa from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and increased their price target for the stock from $90.00 to $97.00 in a report on Tuesday, October 25th. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price target on Visa from $94.00 to $93.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, October 25th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price target on Visa from $87.00 to $89.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 25th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-eight have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Visa presently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $91.65.

Source: American Banking and Market News

Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) Rating Increased to Buy at HSBC

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) was upgraded by research analysts at HSBC from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report issued on Thursday. The firm currently has a $61.00 target price on the cell phone carrier’s stock. HSBC’s price target indicates a potential upside of 16.75% from the stock’s current price.

A number of other equities analysts also recently commented on VZ. Vetr downgraded Verizon Communications from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $58.40 target price for the company. in a research note on Thursday, September 22nd. Citigroup Inc. upgraded Verizon Communications from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and lifted their target price for the company from $52.25 to $53.38 in a research note on Tuesday, January 3rd. Cowen and Company restated a “market perform” rating and issued a $50.00 target price on shares of Verizon Communications in a research note on Sunday, October 23rd. Morgan Stanley restated an “overweight” rating and issued a $60.00 target price on shares of Verizon Communications in a research note on Sunday, October 23rd. Finally, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. restated a “neutral” rating and issued a $51.00 target price on shares of Verizon Communications in a research note on Sunday, October 23rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, twenty-one have issued a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. The stock has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $54.48.

Source:  Ticker Report

National Oilwell Varco (NOV) Upgraded by Societe Generale to “Buy”

National Oilwell Varco (NYSE:NOV) was upgraded by analysts at Societe Generale from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report issued on Thursday. The firm currently has a $44.00 price objective on the oil and gas exploration company’s stock. Societe Generale’s target price would suggest a potential upside of 17.58% from the stock’s current price.

Several other equities analysts have also recently commented on NOV. Seaport Global Securities cut shares of National Oilwell Varco from a “neutral” rating to a “sell” rating and set a $34.00 target price for the company. in a research report on Thursday, December 1st. Johnson Rice cut shares of National Oilwell Varco from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, December 9th. RBC Capital Markets reiterated a “hold” rating and set a $47.00 price objective on shares of National Oilwell Varco in a research report on Friday, January 6th. Zacks Investment Research cut shares of National Oilwell Varco from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 18th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets set a $30.00 price objective on shares of National Oilwell Varco and gave the stock a “sell” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 12th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, twenty have given a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company. The stock has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $34.94.

Source:  SportsPerspectives