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☆ National Australia Bank's second-half cash profit falls as inflation persists
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Roushni Nair | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The National Australia Bank Logo is seen on a branch in central Sydney, Australia, February 8, 2018. But for the half-year ended Sept. 30, cash earnings sank as the impact of monetary policy tightening and inflationary pressures crippled households and the economy. The annual performance of its business and institutional banking divisions stood out with of 10.1% and 14.9% in cash profits respectively, while the personal banking division was a drag on its results, posting a 9.1% decline in cash earnings to A$1.45 billion. The bank reported a jump in its credit impairment charge for the year to A$802 million, up from just A$125 million a year ago, which it said reflected volume growth and worsening asset quality. The bank declared a final dividend of 84 Australian cents per share, up from 78 Australian cents apiece a year earlier.

Persons: Daniel Munoz, Ross McEwan, Roushni Nair, Archishma Iyer, Shounak Dasgupta, Jamie Freed Organizations: National, REUTERS, National Australia Bank, NAB, Thomson Locations: Sydney, Australia, Bengaluru

☆ Top Wall Street analysts expect these dividend stocks to boost portfolio returns
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-08 | by ( Tipranks.Com Staff | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

The company's dividend hike of 3.4% last year marked the 40th consecutive year of annual dividend growth. Mizuho analyst Nitin Kumar reiterated a buy rating on Exxon with a price target of $139 after attending the company's Product Solutions Spotlight event. Calling CTRA his top pick, Kumar reiterated a buy rating on the stock with a price target of $42. (See BIP Stock Chart on TipRanks)American Electric PowerAnother RBC Capital analyst, Shelby Tucker, is bullish on utility stock American Electric Power (AEP). Recently, Tucker lowered the price target for AEP to $90 from $103 to reflect a high interest environment but reiterated a buy rating.

Persons: Sergio Moraes, Wall, Mizuho, Nitin Kumar, Kumar, TipRanks, Marcellus Shale, Robert Kwan, Kwan, Shelby Tucker, Charles E, Tucker Organizations: AEP BIP, Exxon Mobil Corp, Oil, Gas Expo, Exxon Mobil First, Exxon Mobil, Exxon, Coterra Energy, CTRA, Brookfield Infrastructure Partners, Brookfield Infrastructure, RBC Capital, Power, American Electric Power, AEP, 453rd, Darden Locations: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Baytown, Singapore, Anadarko, TipRanks, Brookfield

☆ Bank of America says now is the time to buy these three home improvement stocks
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( Lisa Kailai Han | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Cooling inflationary pressures and strengthening home values are likely to spell a recovery for home improvement retailers sooner rather than later, according to Bank of America. Although the firm's indicator for the home improvement industry still came in negative for August 2023, the signal ticked up from its July reading. "Strength in home values should lend longer-term stability for home improvement demand," Suzuki wrote. Suzuki's $114 price target for Floor & Décor suggests almost 24% upside from its closing price of $92 Monday. BofA cited FND's growing number of stores and improved same-store sales growth.

Persons: Elizabeth Suzuki, Lowe, BofA, Suzuki, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Bank of America, U.S . Mortgage, Finance Research Locations: 1H23, 2H23, Monday's

☆ China's real estate market roiled by default fears again
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Qilai Shen | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesBEIJING — Two years after Evergrande's debt troubles, worries about China's real estate sector are coming to the forefront again. In late July, its top leaders indicated a shift toward greater support for the real estate sector, paving the way for local governments to implement specific policies. For the last several years, Chinese authorities have attempted to curb debt-fueled speculation in the country's massive — and hot — real estate market. Real estate and related industries have accounted for about a quarter of China's economy. He pointed out that since China started its deleveraging campaign in 2016, it is very unlikely the state would step in to bail out real estate developers.

Persons: Qilai Shen, Dalian Wanda, Liu Haibo, Sandra Chow, Nomura, Chow, Evergrande, Redmond Wong, —, Wong, Vanke, that's Organizations: Country Garden Holdings Co, Bloomberg, Getty, BEIJING, Reuters, CNBC, Country, Asia Pacific Research, CreditSights, Fitch, Saxo Markets Hong, China's, House Research, Stock, Poly Development, Research Locations: Baoding, Hebei province, China, Dalian, Hong Kong, Beijing, Saxo Markets Hong Kong

☆ Here are Thursday's biggest analyst calls: Apple, Qualcomm, Roku, Etsy, Roblox, Robinhood, Sunrun and more
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

TD Cowen upgrades Ross to outperform from market perform TD Cowen said consensus is "underestimating [a] margin recovery" for Ross. TD Cowen downgrades Columbia to market perform from outperform TD Cowen said demand looks muted for Columbia Sportswear . Bernstein downgrades Etsy to market perform from outperform Bernstein said it's concerned about slowing growth. Piper Sandler reiterates Crocs as overweight Piper Sandler said the shoe company is "underpinned by +DD [double digit] earnings growth and compelling valuation." Citi reiterates Apple as buy Citi said it's standing by its buy rating heading into Apple earnings after the bell.

Persons: TD Cowen, Ross, Cowen, Bernstein, Etsy, it's, Piper Sandler, Crocs, CROX, QCOM, Jefferies, Simon, Telsey, Roblox, Morgan Stanley, Robinhood, Janney, Coke Organizations: TD Cowen downgrades Columbia, Columbia, Buyers, Citi, Deutsche Bank, Qualcomm, Apple, Simon, Bank of America, UBS, Costco Locations: underperform, Wingstop, 1Q22

☆ These 5 stocks are on Goldman’s ‘conviction buy’ list — and it gives one more than 50% upside
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( Weizhen Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The Wall Street bank's Conviction List comprises its top buy-rated stocks that it expects to outperform. Goldman gave Baidu's U.S.-listed shares a 12-month price target of $197, and its Hong Kong-listed shares a price target of 193 Hong Kong dollars. Shift4 Payments American payment processing company Shift4 Payments is also on Goldman's conviction list. "Its refreshed, modern restaurant POS [point of sale] platform and new verticals should drive market share growth," Goldman analysts wrote. Goldman gave Warner Bros Discovery, which is on its conviction list, a price target of $20, or potentially more than 50% upside.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Baidu Goldman, Goldman, Johnson, Warner Bros Discovery Goldman, WBD, Solar Goldman, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Baidu, Baidu's U.S, Hong, Johnson Controls, Warner Bros Discovery Locations: China, Hong Kong

☆ Top Wall Street analysts see solid potential in these five stocks
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-23 | by ( Tipranks.Com Staff | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Bachman reiterated a buy rating on Salesforce and raised his price target to $255 from $245. DellPersonal computer makers, including Dell (DELL), have been facing significant headwinds, as the demand for desktops and laptops plunged following a pandemic-driven rush. Ho raised the price target on DELL to $60 from $48 and reiterated a buy rating. In line with his bullish stance, Rakesh increased his price target for RIVN to $30 from $27 and maintained a buy rating. Rakesh raised his price target for MBLY to $48 from $43 and reiterated a buy rating on the stock.

Persons: Mike Blake, Keith Bachman, Salesforce, Bachman, Sidney Ho, Ho, Rivian, Vijay Rakesh, Rakesh, Mobileye, bode Organizations: Reuters, BMO Capital, Service, Dell, Deutsche Bank, Solutions, Gartner, DELL, Mobileye, EV, Geely Automobile, Porsche, Volkswagen Locations: San Diego , U.S, 2H23E, Israel

☆ Here are Tuesday's biggest analyst calls: Nvidia, Apple, Tesla, Amazon, Delta, Rivian, Disney & more
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Here are Tuesday's biggest calls on Wall Street: Evercore ISI reiterates Apple as outperform Evercore said it's bullish on Apple's venture into augmented and virtual reality. " Morgan Stanley upgrades U.S. Foods to overweight from equal weight Morgan Stanley said in its upgrade of the stock that it sees "optionality." Morgan Stanley initiates Everest Re Group as overweight Morgan Stanley said it's bullish on shares of the insurer. Morgan Stanley initiates Arch Capital as overweight Morgan Stanley said the insurance company is "best positioned for secular growth opportunities." Morgan Stanley upgrades Avis Budget to overweight from equal weight Morgan Stanley said it likes the company's profitability potential.

Persons: Evercore, it's, it's bullish, Piper Sandler, Tesla, Piper, we've, Morgan Stanley, Baidu, Read, Philip Morris, Raymond James downgrades Palantir, Raymond James, Goldman Sachs, Goldman, Canaccord, Bud, Chipotle Organizations: Apple, Pro, Credit Suisse, Citi, Delta Citi, Bank of America, Inc, Foods, Everest, Arch, Avis, OW, Nvidia, Data Center, BMO, Securities, Disney, ESPN, Anheuser Busch InBev Locations: 1H23, 2Q23, China, combustibles, Hulu

☆ AMD's lackluster forecast sparks selloff in shares
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( Tiyashi Datta | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The stock fell more than 6% in early trading and was set to erase nearly $9 billion in market value. Intel, whose shares rose last week on a more upbeat PC market outlook, gained more than 2%. The PC market has been in a slump for the past few quarters after a demand surge during the pandemic, while data center spending has also slowed as the economic outlook worsens. AMD, whose smaller and more efficient data center chips had helped it take market share from Intel last year, missed estimates for both PC and data center chip sales in the first quarter. "AMD results were more vulnerable (to the PC slump) than Intel's because most AMD-based PC customers were consumers.

☆ UBS says this semiconductor stock is a ‘buy’ — and doubles its price target
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( Zavier Ong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

UBS is upgrading Taiwanese foundry United Microelectronics from "neutral" to "buy." The Swiss investment bank raised its price target on the stock from 37 Taiwan dollars ($1.20) to NT$75, representing a potential upside of nearly 50% from its closing price on Wednesday. UMC's year-to-date rerating reflects the "increasing optimism" about the semiconductor industry's recovery and the greater profitability of the stock, the analysts said. UBS isn't the only bull UBS isn't the only bank bullish on United Microelectronics. In a note on April 19, the bank maintained its "outperform" rating on the stock and raised its price target on the stock to NT$60.

☆ Piper Sandler did a deep analysis of banks and says these are the ones to buy on the dip
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( Sarah Min | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The repercussions from the ongoing banking crisis will take some time to play out, but Piper Sandler has names for investors to start sorting through among the wreckage. Even so, banks are dealing with tightening lending standards and rising costs that will continue to weigh on the sector. Still, some banks with strong deposit and liquidity characteristics can help investors find safe harbor, according to Piper Sandler. Here are three overweight-rated, mid-cap bank stocks that Piper Sandler highlighted: The analysts named SouthState Corporation to their list, saying they have confidence in the bank's ability to outperform peers because of its "strong low-cost, core deposit base." First Interstate BancSystem was named to the list because of its lower cost deposit base, its relatively insulated location, and its strong dividend yield.

☆ Buy these 52 top stocks now before a multi-year market recovery begins, according to BMO Capital Markets
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( James Faris | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The days of low interest rates that allowed growth stocks to take off are over, according to BMO. A three-year stretch of chaos in markets will soon end, according to BMO Capital Markets. Stocks have swung from feverish highs to crushing lows since the pandemic as interest rates rose from rock-bottom levels to historically high. 52 top stocks to buy nowIn the report, dozens of BMO analysts listed 52 of their favorite stocks across nine market sectors to buy this quarter. Below are the top investing ideas from BMO, along with each company's ticker, market capitalization, sector, price target, and thesis.

☆ Citi upgrades Charles Schwab, says recent selloff opens a promising entry point
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-13 | by ( Hakyung Kim | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The recent pullback in Charles Schwab shares presents a compelling entry point for investors, according to Citi. Analyst Christopher Allen upgraded Schwab shares to buy from neutral, saying that Schwab shares have limited risk of deposit flight risk. Charles Schwab shares plunged 23% during the last two trading days. Citi thinks that Charles Schwab has sufficient liquidity on hand as client assets shift toward higher-yielding instruments, preventing it from avoiding the same fate as SVB. To be sure, not everyone is as optimistic on Schwab shares.

☆ JPMorgan downgrades electric vehicle stock Nio, says expectations are too high
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-02 | by ( Sarah Min | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

It's time to step to the sidelines on Chinese electric vehicle maker Nio after its latest quarter, according to JPMorgan. Analyst Nick Lai downgraded Nio to neutral from overweight, saying it will be increasingly challenging for the electric vehicle maker to deliver on high expectations. He said that the firm's fourth-quarter results were a miss because of vehicle margin contraction. The analyst's new December-2023 price target is $10, down from $14, which implies upside of roughly 13%. The firm reduced its price target to $10, from $18.

☆ Here are Thursday's biggest analyst calls: Tesla, Apple, Intel, Teladoc, Nvidia, Salesforce & more
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-23 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Bank of America reiterates Target as neutral Bank of America said it sees "modest upside" at current levels. Bank of America downgrades Lucid Group to neutral from buy Bank of America said it's concerned about slowing demand for the luxury vehicle company. Bank of America reiterates Nvidia as buy Bank of America said Nvidia remains "best-in-class" after its earnings report on Wednesday. Bank of America reiterates CVS as buy Bank of America said it sees "significant free cash flow generation potential" for CVS. Goldman Sachs upgrades Nvidia to buy from neutral Goldman upgraded Nvidia after its "impressive" earnings report on Wednesday.

☆ Here are Thursday's biggest analyst calls: Apple, Tesla, Generac, Coinbase, Meta, Roku, Roblox & more
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Here are Thursday's biggest calls on Wall Street: Bernstein reiterates Tesla as underperform Bernstein said Tesla sharers remain overvalued. Loop reiterates Apple as buy Loop said it sees attractive iPhone revenue upside for Apple. Canaccord upgrades Generac to buy from hold Canaccord said it sees "storm clouds breaking" for shares of Generac. JPMorgan reiterates Roku as overweight JPMorgan said it's standing by shares of Roku after the company's earnings results on Wednesday. " Bernstein reiterates Meta as outperform Bernstein kept its outperform rating on the social media giant and says it likes the company's "clear cost takeout plan."

☆ China's economy will grow 5% this year, Fitch Ratings says in upgraded forecast
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-08 | by ( Jihye Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

China's economy will expand by 5% in 2023, Fitch Ratings said in a revised forecast on Wednesday – an improved outlook from its previous 4.1% growth prediction made in December. Fitch also pointed to China's latest purchasing managers' index (PMI) for manufacturing and services, a measure of business activity, that indicated further growth. China's official manufacturing PMI reading rose to 50.1 in January from a previous reading of 47, and its services PMI rose to 54.4, the highest level since June 2022. A value above 50 indicates expansion of economic activity; a reading below 50 points to a contraction. The economists also noted China's gross domestic product reading in December was better than Fitch had expected.

☆ The 60/40 investing strategy posted one of its best months ever after a nightmare 2022
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-03 | by ( Carmen Reinicke | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

After the worst yearly performance ever in 2022 , the standard portfolio of 60% stocks and 40% bonds had a solid rebound in the first month of the new year. The gain was just below the 6.3% total return of the S & P 500 in the same timeframe, recouping losses from December. "We view the rally as sentiment-driven, given how bearish consensus was on 1H23 heading into this year," said Subramanian. .SPX YTD mountain spx ytd Rebound rally The sharp rebound in January was led by the worst-performing sectors in 2022. That's a drastic difference from last year, when both stocks and bonds fell, slamming investors who used the assets to balance their portfolios.

☆ Most analysts are sticking with AMD even after 'partly cloudy' fourth-quarter earnings
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( Hakyung Kim | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

AMD shares popped about 3%. On Wall Street, several analysts reiterated AMD shares as a buy despite the continued overhangs in the chipmaking industry, and project upside for the stock. Goldman Sachs also maintained a buy rating on AMD, saying that despite broader market challenges, the company is on track towards a positive market share trajectory. 'Partly cloudy' results Deutsche Bank analyst Ross Seymore reiterated a hold rating on the stock, citing its "partially cloudy" fourth-quarter results. AMD shares have benefited from January's market and tech shares rally, jumping 16.03% since the start of 2023.

☆ Wall Street is worried about chipmakers, one in particular, following the Intel disaster
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-30 | by ( Carmen Reinicke | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Wall Street analysts are starting to worry about chipmaker Advanced Micro Devices following Intel's terrible earnings results . Morgan Stanley named AMD its top pick in December knowing that there would be some risk early in the year. Earnings expectations Even though Morgan Stanley expects a weak first-quarter guidance, it still has an overweight rating and $77 price target on AMD shares. Morgan Stanley models December revenue of $5.54 billion, down 0.4% on the quarter and up 14.8% on the year. "We continue to see a long runway of potential data center gains, including potential to get traction in data center GPU over time."

☆ Piper Sandler initiates Albemarle at overweight, says lithium miner's earnings power underestimated
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( Sarah Min | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Albemarle is a "lithium pure play," with strong earnings power to match, according to Piper Sandler. Piper analyst Charles Neivert began research coverage of Albemarle with an overweight rating, saying investors are underestimating the miner's earnings growth outlook. Lithium is one of five critical minerals required in electrical vehicle batteries, according to the Congressional Research Service. Nievert expects that strong lithium prices will continue to boost earnings as Albemarle expands its capacity — even if lithium pricing eases off from 2022 levels. "Despite the cooling, we still see significant increases in earnings in 2023 as 1H23 earnings comps will be substantially above year ago levels.

☆ Here are Thursday's biggest analyst calls: Tesla, Apple, Roku, Peloton, Plug Power, Target & more
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Piper Sandler initiates coverage of Albemarle as overweight Piper said in its initiation of the lithium company that it sees "sharp" earnings increases. Jefferies reiterates Alphabet as buy Jefferies said Alphabet's multiple is near a "15-year trough," which makes for an attractive risk/reward. Goldman Sachs reiterates Tesla as buy Goldman said it likes Tesla's "strong orders at lower prices" after the company's earnings report on Wednesday. Bank of America reiterates Peloton as buy Bank of America said it's bullish on Peloton heading into earnings next week. Needham reiterates Roku as buy Needham said it's bullish on Roku's decision to build its own TV.

☆ Morgan Stanley's favorite buys and shorts for earnings season
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-24 | by ( Sarah Min | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Stocks are set for big swings this earnings season , and that spells opportunity for investors to buy and short some names, according to Morgan Stanley. More important for investors this earnings season will be the 2023 guidance, the firm said. Given this, traders should expect a rise in price dispersion over the next couple weeks as corporate earnings season unwinds. Seventy companies in the S & P 500 have released results so far this earnings season, according to FactSet data. Here are three positive names, and two negative, that Morgan Stanley highlighted: Bath & Body Works will react positively to earnings, according to Morgan Stanley.

☆ Here are Monday's biggest analyst calls: Tesla, Meta, Qualcomm, Zoom, Apple, Costco, Wayfair & more
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-23 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Here are Monday's biggest Wall Street calls: MKM downgrades Zoom to neutral from buy MKM said it sees growth stalling for the video-conferencing company. Baird adds Tractor Supply as a fresh pick Baird named Tractor Supply as a fresh pick, noting it sees upside to estimates. Barclays downgrades Warner Music to equal weight from overweight Barclays said the music company's financial performance is too volatile. Jefferies naming Caterpillar a top pick Jefferies said it sees upside to estimates for shares of Caterpillar. Barclays downgrades Tapestry to equal weight from overweight Barclays said it's concerned about a "negative promotional inflection" for Tapestry .

☆ Netflix's subscriber growth signals better times ahead, but some analysts say it's still too early to buy
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( Samantha Subin | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Netflix 's strong fourth-quarter subscriber growth and solid content slate may signal the start of better times for the streaming stock, but it may be too early to buy up shares, according to some Wall Street analysts. Netflix reported 7.66 million adds, compared to 4.57 million subscribers expected by StreetAccount estimates. Analysts view the company's new advertising tier and its content slate as key to Netflix's financial performance in the months ahead. Since reporting second-quarter earnings results, Netflix shares have risen more than 46%. On the leadership front, Supino and analysts view the CEO transition as a positive for the company.

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