Analyst Downgrades: Mattel, Inc., Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Inc, and Las Vegas Sands Corp.

Analysts downwardly revised their ratings and price targets on Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAT), Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Inc (NYSE:NGVC), and Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE:LVS)

Josh Selway

Apr 21, 2016 at 9:58 AM

Analysts are weighing in on toy manufacturer Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAT), organic grocer Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Inc (NYSE:NGVC), and casino stock Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE:LVS). Here's a quick roundup of today's bearish brokerage notes on MAT, NGVC, and INTC.

Weak Barbie sales contributed to a bigger-than-expected first-quarter loss for MAT -- a change of pace from last quarter. The stock has dropped 8% out of the gate to trade at $30.39 -- unable to match its rival's post-earnings rally -- with Jefferies lowering its price target to $35 from $37. Still, B. Riley raised its price target on the stock to $38 -- annual-high territory -- and it's possible Mattel, Inc. could see support from the round-number $30 level going forward. If the stock does display such technical strength following a tough quarter, it could benefit from a short-squeeze. Specifically, MAT's short-interest ratio stands at 8.80, even after short interest fell by 7% in the latest two-week reporting period.

Analysts are slashing their expectations on NGVC, after the company announced a lackluster current-quarter forecast. RBC cut its rating on the stock to "sector perform" from "outperform," and was one of four brokerage firms to lower its price target, slashing its target to $16 from $29. Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Inc is down 28% at $14.67 as a result, bringing its year-over-year decline to 45%. There's potential for more bearish notes to pressure the shares, too, since four of the seven brokerage firms that cover NGVC still call it a "strong buy."

LVS has fallen 10.4% to $46.73, following the company's first-quarter earnings miss. J.P. Morgan Securities this morning downgraded the stock to "neutral" from "overweight," though it also raised its price target by $6 to $52. Meanwhile, Stifel lowered its price target to $56 from $58, while Barclays increased its target to $50 from $45. Even with this pullback, though, Las Vegas Sands Corp. is 6.5% higher in 2016, amid a rapid decline in short interest. Specifically, short interest on LVS dropped by 22.6% in the last reporting period alone -- though these bears still control three days' worth of buying power, at average daily volumes. As such, the stock could rebound quickly if shorts continue to cover.

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