Analyst Downgrades: SolarCity Corp, Gap Inc, and NewLink Genetics Corp

Analysts downwardly revised their ratings and price targets on SolarCity Corp (NASDAQ:SCTY), Gap Inc (NYSE:GPS), and NewLink Genetics Corp (NASDAQ:NLNK)

May 10, 2016 at 9:24 AM

Analysts are weighing in on alternative energy stock SolarCity Corp (NASDAQ:SCTY), retailer Gap Inc (NYSE:GPS), and biotech NewLink Genetics Corp (NASDAQ:NLNK). Here's a quick roundup of today's bearish brokerage notes on SCTY, GPS, and NLNK.

SCTY is bracing for a nearly 21% drop at the open, after the solar firm reported a wider-than-expected quarterly loss and cut its installation forecast for 2016. Making matters worse, no fewer than six analysts lowered their price targets, with the deepest cut courtesy of Goldman Sachs (to $23 from $27). Today's anticipated losses would be the continuation of a long-term trend, as SolarCity Corp has surrendered 56% of its value year-to-date to trade at $22.51. All the while, short sellers have been piling on. A lofty 39% of the stock's float is sold short, which would take over six sessions to cover, at SCTY's usual daily trading volumes. Also, following some harsh words from this high-profile short seller, put buying has picked up.

GPS is preparing to gap 11.7% lower this morning, after the apparel peddler said quarterly same-store sales fell more than anticipated (as usual), and offered up a disappointing first-quarter earnings forecast. The news provoked the ire of Wall Street, as Topeka Capital downgraded GPS to "hold" from "buy," and was one of at least 17 brokerage firms to lower its price target, slicing it to $22 from $40. Yesterday, Gap Inc settled at $21.81, meaning today's expected downside gap would put the stock in four-year-low territory. Options traders aren't complaining. GPS' 10-day put/call volume ratio at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX) registers at an annual high of 16.57.

NLNK's experimental pancreatic cancer immunotherapy failed in a late-stage trial, provoking a raft of negative analyst attention. So far, Baird, SunTrust Robinson, and Stifel have cut their price targets on the drug stock. Ahead of the bell, NewLink Genetics Corp is pointed 33% lower after settling yesterday at $16.50, putting it on track for a three-year low at the open. Additional bearish analyst notes could be just around the corner, too, considering 83% of brokerages consider NLNK worthy of a "strong buy" rating -- with not a single "sell" opinion to be found.

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