Analyst Update: Advanced Micro Devices, SodaStream

Analysts adjusted their ratings on Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMD), Sodastream International Ltd (NASDAQ:SODA), and Teradata Corporation (NYSE:TDC)

May 7, 2015 at 1:19 PM

Analysts are weighing in today on semiconductor manufacturer Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMD), at-home carbonation specialist Sodastream International Ltd (NASDAQ:SODA), and data solutions provider Teradata Corporation (NYSE:TDC). Here's a quick look at today's brokerage notes on AMD, SODA, and TDC.

The shares of AMD are 0.7% lower at $2.28, despite the stock waking up to a pair of price-target hikes. Specifically, Canaccord Genuity raised its price target to $2.25 from $2 while keeping its "hold" rating, and Wedbush hiked its target to $2.50 from $2.25. The hikes come even as the shares of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. have shed 14.6% so far this year, with rebound attempts stalling at the stock's 160-day moving average. Accordingly, options traders have favored puts over calls lately, as AMD's 10-day International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX) put/call volume ratio of 1.92 stands in the 90th percentile of its annual range. Meanwhile, short interest declined by 3.2% during the last reporting period, but still accounts for nearly 16% of AMD's available float. It would take these traders over eight sessions to cover their bets, at average trading volumes.

SODA released first-quarter earnings that toppled analysts' expectations, sending the shares 10.4% higher to $19.69. In fact, the equity is one of the top 10 percentage gainers on the Nasdaq thus far. In response, Roth Capital upgraded its rating on Sodastream International Ltd to "buy." Prior to today, SODA was an underperformer, with the shares down over 56% year-over-year. Many options traders are likely cheering today's rally, though -- over the past 10 days at the ISE, CBOE, and PHLX, 2.59 SODA calls were bought to open for every put. The brokerage bunch isn't so optimistic; eight out of nine covering analysts rate the stock a lukewarm "hold."

FBN Securities lowered its price target on TDC to $42 from $43 while keeping its "sector perform" rating, after the firm posted underwhelming first-quarter earnings. At last check, the shares of Teradata Corporation were 8.5% lower at $41.10, putting them 5.9% in the red for 2015. Sentiment in the options pits has been more bullish than usual, as TDC's 10-day ISE/CBOE/PHLX call/put volume ratio of 0.95 is higher than 70% of all equivalent readings from the past year. Short sellers have taken a shine to the equity too, as nearly 15% of its available float is sold short, which would take roughly 14 sessions to cover, at average trading volumes. However, due to its bear gap, TDC has been relegated to the short-sale restricted list.

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