Analyst Update: 2U, Universal Display, Quanta Services

Analysts adjusted their ratings on 2U Inc (TWOU), Universal Display Corporation (OLED), and Quanta Services Inc (PWR)

Oct 16, 2015 at 1:31 PM

Analysts are weighing in today on cloud-based education issue 2U Inc (NASDAQ:TWOU), LED display company Universal Display Corporation (NASDAQ:OLED), and energy infrastructure concern Quanta Services Inc (NYSE:PWR). Here's a quick roundup of today's brokerage notes on TWOU, OLED, and PWR.

TWOU is 6% higher at $25.14 this afternoon, after Goldman Sachs reportedly upgraded the company to "buy." However, the stock is still down more than 14% on the week, after Citron Research on Monday called 2U Inc "just a for-profit online education company that leverages other school's brands," sending the shares south of $25 for the first time since April. Despite the recent struggles, analysts maintain a bullish outlook on TWOU. Currently, the security boasts four "strong buys" and one "buy," with not a "sell" in sight. Downgrades from this enthusiastic bunch could put further downside pressure on the shares.

OLED is 12.3% lower at $34.46 -- and on the short-sale restricted (SSR) list -- after Goldman Sachs removed the stock from America's Buy List, downgraded it to "neutral," and lowered its price target to $40 from $50. The brokerage cited the belief that Universal Display Corporation's TV volumes would "disappoint meaningfully" in 2015-2016. Option players seem to disagree with Goldman Sachs' assessment, as OLED's 10-day call/put volume ratio on the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX) checks in at an astronomical 57.00. This reading ranks higher than 99% of all others taken in the past year, pointing to a healthier-than-usual appetite for bullish bets over bearish during the past two weeks.

PWR is 28% lower at $18.86 -- and just off a three-year low of $18.56 -- after lowering third-quarter earnings guidance and issuing a lackluster fourth-quarter revenue outlook. Credit Suisse took this opportunity to cut its price target on Quanta Services Inc to $25 from $28, saying the company will remain "in the penalty box" until "management can prove 2016 is a return to the prior days of above average execution." Likewise, D.A. Davidson cut its target to $27 from $31 . PWR is today's worst performer on the Big Board, and the stock has been relegated to the SSR list. PWR's analyst configuration leaves it in danger of more negative attention, as nine of the 10 analysts tracking the firm rate it a "strong buy." Near-term option players are more call-heavy than usual, too, as PWR's Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio (SOIR) of 0.34 ranks lower than 91% of the readings taken in the past 52 weeks.

For other stocks in analysts' crosshairs, read Analyst Upgrades: Lululemon Athletica inc., Opko Health Inc., and AT&T Inc. and Analyst Downgrades: Dunking Brands Group Inc, Wynn Resorts, Limited, and Yum! Brands Inc.

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