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Morgan Stanley raised its Microsoft stock outlook to the highest on Wall Street, implying the company once famous for Windows software will climb above a market value of $3 trillion because of artificial intelligence. The generative AI boom has already helped propel Microsoft's stock by almost 41% year to date — and Morgan Stanley's new price target implies it will climb another 23% over the next 12 months. Weiss raised his price target on Microsoft by 24%, to $415 from $335. Morgan Stanley called Microsoft its top pick among large-cap software stocks on account of the company's strong positioning in the generative AI boom. MSFT YTD mountain Microsoft stock Weiss said Microsoft has taken a "leading position" providing the "picks and shovels" of the AI boom — large language models, data management and other technologies.

Persons: Morgan Stanley, —, Morgan, Keith Weiss, Weiss, FactSet, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Microsoft, Windows, Software, OpenAI

Plug Power could become one of the largest green hydrogen suppliers globally, according to Citi. This makes PLUG well positioned to benefit from growing demand for green H2 in hard to abate sectors," Bagri wrote in a Wednesday note. Bagri said Plug Power is on track to achieve positive gross margins this year and aims to top 30% in gross margins by 2026. "We believe a favorable guidance on additionality/time matching, progress towards gross margin improvement and financial support from the DOE could all be positive catalysts," he continued. PLUG YTD mountain PLUG in 2023 —CNBC's Michael Bloom contributed to this report.

Persons: Vikram Bagri, Bagri, —, Michael Bloom Organizations: Citi, Amazon, Walmart, Home Depot, GM, Department of Energy, DOE

Shopping mall developer Simon Property Group is a "cash engine," according to Wolfe research. The company is currently trading at a discount to Wolfe's strip center and overall coverage, said Rosivach. "In fact, SPG is currently trading well below its historic discount to our overall coverage. Shares of Simon Property Group are trading near the flatline in 2023, but have jumped more than 22% over the past 12 months. SPG 1Y mountain SPG in past year —CNBC's Michael Bloom contributed to this report.

Persons: Wolfe, Andrew Rosivach, Rosivach, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Simon Property, SPG, Brands, General Atlantic, Simon Property Group

Citi thinks aircraft maker Textron is due for a rebound after underperforming thus far in 2023. "We are constructive on revenue and earnings visibility given recent backlog growth, particularly in the company's Aviation and Bell segments," analyst Jason Gursky wrote in a Wednesday note. Current wait lists for new aircraft stretch to more than two years, he noted — resulting in up to 360% backlog growth for Textron since 2019. To be sure, he said that Textron's industrial segment does not have much "connective tissue" across its various assets, which include automotive, aerospace and leisure. A rise in military spending should also create tailwinds for Textron's defense-oriented Bell and Systems segment, added the analyst.

Persons: Jason Gursky, Gursky, —, Michael Bloom Organizations: Citi, Textron, company's Aviation, Bell, Systems

Bank of America thinks momentum is on Sweetgreen's side, even as people return to the office at a slower-than-expected pace. Analyst Katherine Griffin upgraded Sweetgreen shares to buy from neutral, citing increasing foot traffic, sustained momentum in same-store sales growth and long-term plans to automate operations. "Sustained y/y visits growth suggests mobility continues to improve and SG [same-store sales growth] can maintain momentum, removing a key overhang on the stock," Griffin wrote in a Thursday note. The company's long-term plans to automate its kitchens could reduce labor intensity and help with margins, added the analyst. "Based on our saturation analysis, we see potential for SG to achieve its 1,000 [long-term] store growth target.

Persons: Katherine Griffin, Griffin, Sweetgreen's, Sweetgreen, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: of America, SG Locations: Wednesday's

Tech stocks led the way higher for the market in the first half. Bank of America expects other names to join in on the rally during the second half. The first half of 2023 was the best for the S & P 500 since 2019, surging 15.9%. Only 25% of stocks outperformed the broader market index, according to Savita Subramanian, the bank's head of U.S. and quantitative strategy. The Invesco S & P 500 Equal Weight ETF (RSP) , which tracks a version of the S & P 500 in which stocks are weight equally rather than by market cap, is up just 5% year to date.

Persons: Dow Jones, Savita Subramanian, Subramanian, CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Bank of America, Dow, RSP Locations: St

Goldman Sachs has a slightly more optimistic outlook on Netflix now. Analyst Eric Sheridan upgraded shares to neutral from sell. Sheridan noted that Netflix shares have popped 135% since Goldman added Netflix to its sell list in June 2022. NFLX YTD mountain NFLX in 2023 Netflix is scheduled to announce its most recent quarterly earnings report July 19. Goldman anticipates Netflix's subscriber performance to top Wall Street's estimates.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Eric Sheridan, Sheridan, Goldman, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Netflix Locations: Monday's

It's time to buy shares of Transocean , according to Citi. "Transocean is also favorably positioned geographically with the greatest exposure to the Golden Triangle region (Brazil, [Gulf of Mexico], West Africa) amongst peers," Gruber continued. Dayrates refer to the daily costs drilling project operators pay to drilling contractors to rent an oil rig. Transocean shares were up 2.7% Wednesday premarket. RIG YTD mountain RIG in 2023 —CNBC's Michael Bloom contributed to this report.

Persons: Scott Gruber, Gruber, Transocean, Dayrates, EBITDA, —, Michael Bloom Organizations: Citi Locations: Transocean, ., Brazil, Gulf of Mexico, West Africa, Sea, Norway

Jefferies says it's "all revved up" on car rental company Hertz . The firm initiated coverage on Hertz with a buy rating and a $24 price target, implying shares jumping 30% from Monday's close. We see structural benefits from a maintenance and pricing perspective related to [a] higher mix of EVs," Moore said. In this blue sky scenario, we see the potential for another $1bn+ in EBITDA opportunity at 20-30+% margins," the analyst added. Hertz shares were up 1.4% Wednesday before the bell.

Persons: Jefferies, it's, Stephanie Moore, Moore, Hertz, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Hertz, EV Locations: Monday's

Piper Sandler says there's too much uncertainty around Coinbase , and investors need to stay away. A lack of regulatory clarity also drove the downgrade, according to analyst Patrick Moley. He lowered his price target to $60 from $65, which implies shares drawing back 24.9% from Monday's close. "However, rising crypto prices have not translated to increased trading volumes for COIN in recent quarters and the timing of a spot bitcoin ETF approval is anyone's guess," said Moley. The analyst expects Coinbase to post its lowest quarterly trading volumes and monthly transacting user totals in over two years for the second quarter.

Persons: Piper Sandler, there's, Patrick Moley, Moley, Coinbase, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC Locations: Coinbase, Monday's

The reshoring trend is bringing manufacturing back into the U.S., putting the need for robots and automation at the forefront of the building boom. But with a tight labor market, companies are incorporating more automation and robotics into these brand new factories. Another robotics company Daryanani picked was Azenta . Sakraida said it could see upside as it gradually exposes itself more to the reshoring trend. It's working toward becoming a pure-play automation company," Sakraida said.

Persons: Jonathan Sakraida, reshoring, Carol Schleif, BMO's, Amit Daryanani, Daryanani, chipmakers, Morgan Stanley, industrials, Jonathan Coleman, Janus Henderson, Sakraida, Chris Snyder, Rockwell, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: UBS, Labor, BMO Family, HP, Janus Henderson Investors, Lincoln Electric, Rockwell Automation, ROK, Emerson Electric, Emerson Locations: U.S

Alcoholic beverage company Diageo will see limited upsides ahead, says Goldman Sachs. "With muted growth in the US, we see limited positive catalysts for Diageo and thus limited scope for earnings upgrades for the group," said Nicolaï. To be sure, he noted that if the company's U.S. market share gains accelerated, the company could strongly outperform the rest of the market. Goldman expects negative worsening volume trends and a weaker pricing outlook for U.S. spirits wholesalers over the next six months. The firm noted that "the secular premiumization trend is expected to be on hold after strong gains in 2020–2022."

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Oliver Nicolaï, Nicolaï, Goldman, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Diageo Locations: U.S, FY23e

It's time to buy Domino's Pizza, according to Stifel. O'Cull thinks that "over the next 12 months, the company will stabilize delivery sales and continue growing carryout sales to new record levels. The analyst pointed out that Domino's shares have "performed poorly since 2021 as delivery sales have declined." "Carry-out sales should continue to be a significant growth opportunity," O'Cull said. Domino's shares were up 2% Thursday during premarket trading.

Persons: Chris O'Cull, O'Cull, — CNBC's Michael Bloom

"Patience should be rewarded," Morgan Stanley said about T-Mobile shares. Analyst Simon Flannery maintained his overweight rating on shares, while increasing his price target by $1 to $178. The company offers investors low leverage, strong FCF generation, a recurring revenue model, network leadership, growing market share and reasonable valuations," Flannery wrote in a Thursday note. Flannery noted temporary headwinds from wholesale traffic off-loading by DISH and Verizon are temporary headwinds to T-Mobile shares. The company's ability to outperform the sector may become harder as it gains more market share, he added.

Persons: Morgan Stanley, Simon Flannery, Flannery, Michael Bloom Organizations: Mobile, Iridium, Verizon

Citi says it has "greater conviction" in Corning 's margin recovery potential. Analyst Asiya Merchant upgraded the glass maker's shares to buy from neutral. She also raised her price target to $40 from $36, implying shares rallying more than 20% from Wednesday's close. A 20% price increase in the company's display segment offerings will help offset incremental costs and foreign exchange headwinds, helping the company's margin expansion targets, the analyst said. Merchant noted near-term demand recovery in the optical market remains uncertain.

Persons: Asiya, Merchant, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Citi, Asiya Merchant, Auto Locations: Corning, Wednesday's

While Wall Street debates whether the S & P 500 is truly out of a bear market, these individual stocks are in bull market territory. CNBC Pro screened for the stocks in a true bull market that fall under the following criteria: S & P 500 or Russell 1000 member. Made a new 52-week high Tuesday. Shares have gained more than 10% in 2023 and may rally an additional 7.6%, according to its average price target. The stock's average price target suggests shares could rally 18.6% from Tuesday's close.

Persons: hasn't, Russell, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: CNBC Pro, Apple, Semiconductor, Applied Materials, Semiconductors, Materials, Walmart Locations: Tuesday's

Biogen — Shares of the biotech stock dipped 2.8% after Biogen revamped its board of directors. Oracle — Shares rose 0.2% to an all-time high on the back of a strong earnings report for the fiscal fourth quarter. Oil stocks — Oil shares rose broadly as WTI crude gained following Monday losses. Chinese internet stocks, metals and mining stocks — Shares of Chinese internet companies and metals and mining stocks jumped Tuesday after the People's Bank of China cut a key short-term policy rate in an effort to stimulate a post-Covid recovery. Metals and mining stocks were also boosted by the news, with shares of Freeport-McMoRan and Steel Dynamics rallying 5.3% and 6%, respectively.

Persons: Susan Langer, Biogen, Refinitiv, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Transocean, JD.com, —, Samantha Subin, Sarah Min, Alexander Harring, Jesse Pound, С. Organizations: Biogen, Oracle, Revenue, Cruise Line Holdings, Bank of America, Royal, Urban Outfitters, Devon Energy, —, VanEck Oil Services, Halliburton, People's Bank of, CSI China, Metals, Steel Dynamics Locations: China, Gu'an, Royal Caribbean, Devon, Salt Lake City, People's Bank of China, Freeport, McMoRan

The S & P 500 's recent rally has many investors convinced the bear market is drawing to a close, but Citi's Scott Chronert isn't convinced. Chronert, U.S. equity strategist at Citi, isn't buying the rally. He is maintaining his full-year S & P 500 target of 4,000 as he forecasts a pullback in the second half of 2023. According to CNBC Pro's Market Strategist Survey , Barclays, Morgan Stanley and UBS are forecasting the broad market index to fall below 4,000 at year-end. His base case for the S & P 500 forecasts a mid-year 2024 target of 4,400.

Persons: Citi's Scott Chronert isn't, Morgan Stanley, Chronert, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Citi, CNBC Pro's, Survey, Barclays, UBS Locations: U.S

In the last few years, however, this outlook has changed to "Tesla, BYD , and everyone else," according to Evercore. Chinese EV-manufacturer BYD sold more NEVs, or new energy vehicles, in 2022 than Tesla. Evercore noted that BYD's sales guidance for China in 2023 could potentially exceed the total EV sales in the U.S. and EU combined from 2022. "In many respects, such as battery and commercial vehicle platforms, BYD is already leading TSLA & others. Correction: Chinese EV-manufacturer BYD sold more NEVs, or new energy vehicles, in 2022 than Tesla.

Persons: Tesla, BYD, Evercore, Chris McNally, Warren Buffett, Charlie Munger's Berkshire Hathaway, Munger, McNally, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: EV, EU Locations: China, U.S, BYD, Berkshire, Omaha, Europe, EU, Thailand

Amid "continued demand momentum" for the cruise industry, JPMorgan is bullish on Carnival . The bank upgraded the cruise liner's shares to overweight from neutral in a Monday note. Analyst Matthew Boss also raised his price target to $16 from $11, implying more than 22% upside from Friday's close. Boss underscored Weinstein's comments that Carnival is "no longer riding the coattails of a post-pause pent-up." "On the top-line, we came away confident in current trends with all three management teams," Boss said.

Persons: Matthew Boss, Boss, Josh Weinstein —, —, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: JPMorgan, CCL

Wolfe Research thinks software company Oracle has a strong growth story thanks to the generative AI boom. The analyst said Oracle has created a significant second mover "architectural and cost advantage" around its second-generation Oracle Cloud Infrastructure — which its competitors are unable to match. Notably, Oracle's cloud software has spare GPU, or graphics processing unit, capacity. GPUs are necessary to process AI functions and have seen a surge in demand as more companies engage in AI. Growth has also been strong over a 12-month period, with shares gaining more than 63%.

Persons: Wolfe, Alex Zukin, Zukin, CY25, Oracle, Michael Bloom Organizations: Wolfe Research, Oracle, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, Infrastructure Locations: GenAI

The bank hiked its price target to $154 from $139, which implies 24.7% upside from where shares closed on Friday. "We were encouraged by CEO commentary that retail margins could improve beyond pre-pandemic levels (4-5% in US)," wrote analyst Justin Post. "In 1Q, Amazon US retail margins were up 340bps y/y, one of the best quarters in the company's history for y/y margin improvement," Post added. Post thinks that, based on margin improvement year-to-date, metrics showing strong leverage and management's commentary, Amazon's 2024 U.S. retail margins could reach a range of 4% to 5%. The analyst noted that a 22% year-over-year decline in U.S. retail gasoline prices should aid retail margin improvement.

Persons: there's, Justin Post, Andy Jassy's, Amazon's, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Bank of America, Amazon, Shipping

Despite recent execution blunders that have sent SentinelOne shares plunging by more than 35% over the past 12 months, Morgan Stanley thinks the market is now mispricing the cybersecurity company. Analyst Hamza Fodderwala upgraded shares to overweight from equal weight. The bank said SentinelOne has inherent value as a "long-term share gainer" with the potential for meaningful margin upside. The company's management execution has significantly weighed upon its material topline slowdown, according to Morgan Stanley. That said, Fodderwala thinks SentinelOne offers "a market-leading product and growing distribution channels" which could see more than 20% durable topline growth.

Persons: Morgan Stanley, Hamza Fodderwala, SentinelOne, Fodderwala, —, Michael Bloom

ET, the yield on the 10-year Treasury was up by more than 4 basis points to 3.755%. The 2-year Treasury yield was trading more than 4 basis points higher at 4.566%. U.S. Treasury yields rose on Friday as investors looked ahead to the Federal Reserve monetary policy meeting next week, where officials will announce a fresh interest rate decision. Investors weighed what could be next for interest rates ahead of the Fed's next meeting on June 13 and 14. Further data points are expected before the Fed makes its decision, including May's consumer inflation report on Tuesday.

Organizations: Treasury, U.S, Federal Reserve, Labor Department, Fed

Solar investment could reach a turning point in 2023, and some stocks are well-positioned to benefit from the boom. In the U.S., the Inflation Reduction Act is expected to lead to $600 billion in new investment in solar technology, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. More than 62% of analysts are bullish on the home solar energy company. ReNew Energy's average price target suggests shares rallying 47% in the coming months. The residential solar energy provider could see shares surge almost 90%, according to its average price target.

Persons: Michael Grubb, Grubb, Morgan Stanley Organizations: International Energy Agency, University College London, Bank, Development, Solar Energy Industries Association, CNBC Pro, Nasdaq, York Stock Exchange, Energy, Energy Global, Sunnova Energy Locations: U.S, India

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