Analyst Update: GameStop, State Street, Portola Pharma

Analysts adjusted their ratings and price targets on GameStop Corp. (NYSE:GME), State Street Corp (NYSE:STT), and Portola Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:PTLA)

Josh Selway

Mar 28, 2016 at 3:07 PM

Analysts are weighing in on video game retailer GameStop Corp. (NYSE:GME), investment firm State Street Corp (NYSE:STT), and drugmaker Portola Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:PTLA). Here's a quick roundup of today's brokerage notes on GME, STT, and PTLA.

After falling to as low as $28.40 out of the gate, GME has bounced back to gain 0.2% at $30.32 -- though the stock is stalling out at its 20-day moving average. Late Thursday, GME said fourth-quarter profit beat expectations, yet current-quarter and full-year guidance disappointed. Wedbush has since lowered its price target to $36 from $38, while Benchmark trimmed its target to $26.33 from $27.36. Most of Wall Street is skeptical of GameStop Corp. Eight of the 13 brokerages that cover GME call it a "hold" or "strong sell," while over 38% of the stock's float is sold short.

STT is down 0.5% at $58.48, following a downgrade to "underperform" from "market perform" at KBW. The stock is now 11.9% lower in 2016, and option traders have taken a bearish stance amid in recent weeks. For example, during the past 10 days at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), State Street Corp has accumulated a call/put volume ratio of 5.58, which tops 70% of similar readings from the past year.

As expected, negative analyst attention is putting pressure on PTLA. The stock is down 6.6% at $18.94, after Goldman Sachs cut its opinion to "neutral" from "buy," slashed its price target to $30 from $65, and removed the stock from its "America's Buy" list. The shares have dropped over 63% year-to-date, earlier touching a two-year low of $18.20. However, Portola Pharmaceuticals Inc's recent sell-off has left it in oversold territory, with the stock's 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) coming in at 26, meaning a short-term bounce is theoretically a possibility.

For other stocks in analysts' crosshairs, read Analyst Upgrades: Finish Line Inc, Medivation Inc, and McDonald's Corporation and Analyst Downgrades: QUALCOMM, Inc., Atwood Oceanics, Inc., and Transocean LTD.

Follow @Schaeffers

You have the chance to join one of Bernie's most exclusive programs, complete access at HUGE savings!

As we prepare for a new administration to take the reins in Washington, the near-term market landscape is rife with uncertainty.

The Federal Reserve has already hinted at the turbulence ahead, lowering its interest rate outlook for 2025.

Meanwhile, breakthroughs in artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and other transformative sectors have unlocked incredible profit potential.

But these opportunities are fleeting, and timing is everything. That's where Quick-Hit Trader comes in.

Quick-Hit Trader is designed for precision and speed, getting you in and out of the market in a flash. While other investors scramble to navigate volatile conditions, you'll have access to expertly curated trades that leverage these rapid shifts to deliver explosive profits in short order.

This is your chance to capitalize on the fast-moving market like never before. Are you ready to make your move?