Analyst Upgrades: Cardinal Health, Whole Foods, Cirrus Logic

Analysts upwardly revised their ratings on Cardinal Health Inc (CAH), Whole Foods Market, Inc. (WFM), and Cirrus Logic, Inc. (CRUS)

Mar 2, 2015 at 9:38 AM

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Analysts are weighing in today on healthcare services provider Cardinal Health Inc (NYSE:CAH), healthy grocer Whole Foods Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:WFM), and Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) supplier Cirrus Logic, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRUS). Here's a quick roundup of today's bullish brokerage notes on CAH, WFM, and CRUS.

CAH is in the spotlight this morning, after the firm agreed to buy Johnson & Johnson's (NYSE:JNJ) heart-product unit (subscription required) for $1.94 billion in cash. In addition, Mizuho Securities lifted its price target on Cardinal Health Inc to $103 from $93 -- in uncharted territory for CAH -- and reiterated its "buy" endorsement. On the charts, CAH touched a record high of $89.43 just last week, and has added 1.4% to flirt with $89.20 today. Most analysts are already on the bullish bandwagon, as the security boasts 11 "buy" or better ratings, compared to three lukewarm "holds" and not a single "sell." Still, more price-target hikes could ensue, as the consensus 12-month price target of $92.62 is just a stone's throw from CAH's current perch.

WFM earned a trio of upbeat analyst notes this morning, sending the shares 0.3% higher to $56.63. J.P. Morgan Securities, BMO, and SunTrust Robinson all lifted their price targets, to $56, $58, and $67, respectively. While the latter offered up a "buy" rating, the former underscored the equivalent of "neutral" ratings. The shares of Whole Foods Market, Inc. have added 12% so far in 2015, and touched a fresh annual high of $57.57 on Feb. 19. However, analysts are split on WFM, with 12 doling out "hold" or worse ratings, compared to 11 "buy" or better endorsements.

Finally, Barclays hiked its price target on CRUS to $35, and reiterated an "overweight" rating. The equity has been on fire in 2015, gaining 31.1%, and touched a two-year peak of $30.92 out of the gate today. More price-target boosts could be in store, should CRUS extend its upward momentum. The average 12-month price target of $33.75 sits just 12.1% north of the stock's current perch at $30.11.

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