Analyst Upgrades: bluebird bio Inc, Juniper Networks, Inc., and Toll Brothers Inc

Analysts upwardly revised their ratings on bluebird bio Inc (NASDAQ:BLUE), Juniper Networks, Inc. (NYSE:JNPR), and Toll Brothers Inc (NYSE:TOL)

Karee Venema

Oct 5, 2015 at 9:36 AM

Analysts are weighing in on biopharmaceutical firm bluebird bio Inc (NASDAQ:BLUE), network product specialist Juniper Networks, Inc. (NYSE:JNPR), and homebuilder Toll Brothers Inc (NYSE:TOL). Here's a quick roundup of today's bullish brokerage notes on BLUE, JNPR, and TOL.

Morgan Stanley raised its rating on BLUE to "overweight" from "equal weight," sending the shares up 13% in early trading at $106.24. The stock is certainly grateful for the boost, considering it had shed about half its value since topping out at a record high of $197.35 in late May, as of Friday's close at $94.07. Like several of its sector peers, however, optimism among analysts has remained high. In fact, 90% of covering analysts maintain a "strong buy" rating on bluebird bio Inc, with not a single "sell" to be found. Plus, the average 12-month price target of $204.43 sits in never-before-seen territory. Should BLUE resume its longer-term downtrend, a reversal of fortune among the brokerage bunch could translate into a fresh wave of selling pressure.

JNPR has been powering up the charts in 2015, tacking on 24% to trade at $27.62. This momentum is being extended today, thanks to an upgrade to "buy" from "hold" at Stifel. The stock could certainly benefit from another round of bullish brokerage notes, considering 13 of 20 analysts covering the shares maintain a tepid "hold" recommendation. Plus, the consensus 12-month price target of $28.93 stands just 4.7% away from current trading levels.

Susquehanna raised its rating on TOL to "positive" from "neutral" and its price target to $42 from $41 -- representing expected upside of 21% to Friday's settlement at $34.85. What's more, the new target price sits just below TOL's nine-year high of $42.19, tagged in August. Technically speaking, the security is hovering 3.9% above its year-to-date breakeven level at $35.62 -- after popping 2.2% this morning -- but option traders have been bracing for the worst. At the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), Toll Brothers Inc's 10-day put/call volume ratio of 1.16 ranks in the 86th annual percentile. Simply stated, puts have been bought to open over calls at a faster-than-usual clip.

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