Analyst Upgrades: Ambarella, Orexigen, Target Corp

Analysts are weighing in today on semiconductor concern Ambarella Inc (NASDAQ:AMBA), drugmaker Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:OREX), and retailer Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT). Here's a quick roundup of today's bullish brokerage notes on AMBA, OREX, and TGT.

• AMBA is up 8.3% in electronic trading -- and poised to hit a fresh record high -- after the company's better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings and upwardly revised guidance was met with no fewer than six price-target hikes. Included in the bunch were Pacific Crest, which boosted its price target by $6 to $76, and Topeka Capital, which raised its target price by $13 to $75. Year-to-date, the shares have already tacked on an impressive 24.3% -- which hasn't gone unnoticed in the options pits -- and a continued surge could prompt another round of upbeat analyst notes. Currently, five out of nine covering analysts maintain a "hold" or worse suggestion toward Ambarella Inc, while the average 12-month price target of $59.17 stands at a discount to last night's close at $63.05.


• Leerink upped its price target for OREX to $11 from $8 -- and underscored its "outperform" recommendation -- after yesterday's upbeat news regarding the firm's obesity drug, Contrave. Specifically, the brokerage firm said it sees signs of stronger reimbursement and sales for diet drugs if previous cardiovascular concerns continue to improve. Technically speaking, OREX has tacked on 26.1% in 2015 -- and hit a four-year peak of $9.37 yesterday -- to trade at $7.64. The stock is poised to extend this momentum today, which could shake some of the weaker bearish hands loose. Currently, around one-third of Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc.'s float is sold short, and it would take more than 30 sessions to cover these shorted shares, at average daily trading volumes.


• TGT received upwardly revised price targets from Sterne Agee (to $71), Barclays (to $80), and J.P. Morgan Securities (to $79), after the company unveiled a new round of restructuring efforts yesterday. On the charts, TGT has been a technical standout, rallying more than 27% year-over-year, and based on last night's settlement at $78, the stock is within a chip-shot of its Feb. 25 all-time peak of $78.40. In light of this, there's plenty of room on TGT's bullish bandwagon. Of the 20 analysts covering Target Corporation, 70% maintain a "hold" or "strong sell" suggestion. Plus, the consensus 12-month price target of $74.68 stands at a discount to current trading levels.