Analyst Downgrades: Yelp Inc, EMC Corporation, and Metlife Inc

Analysts downwardly revised their ratings and price targets on Yelp Inc (YELP), EMC Corporation (EMC), and Metlife Inc (MET)

Jul 13, 2016 at 9:29 AM

Analysts are weighing in on consumer review site Yelp Inc (NYSE:YELP), tech stock EMC Corporation (NYSE:EMC), and insurance issue Metlife Inc (NYSE:MET). Here's a quick roundup of today's bearish brokerage notes on YELP, EMC, and MET.

YELP is off 3% pre-market, after seeing its rating cut to "underperform" from "market perform" at Wells Fargo. This may come as a surprise, considering the social media stock has more than doubled since its February lows to settle yesterday at $30.38 -- earning a number of positive analyst notes along the way. Elsewhere on the sentiment front, short interest represents 16.6% of Yelp Inc's float, or more than a week's worth of pent-up buying power, at the stock's average daily volume.

Ahead of EMC's earnings report next Monday night, Macquarie lowered its assessment of the stock to "neutral" from "outperform." This is par for the course, considering roughly three-fifths of analysts rate the shares a "hold" -- with the rest sporting "buy" or better opinions. Technically speaking, EMC Corporation has been stair-stepping its way higher in 2016, and closed Tueday at $27.61 -- just a hair's breadth south of its 40-day moving average.

MET is getting rocked with negative attention, set to drop 1.1% at the open, with Deutsche Bank lowering its rating to "hold" from "buy," and trimming its price target to $44 from $47. In a similar vein, KBW cut its target price to $51 from $54. That's not to say Metlife Inc deserves any better -- the stock, which settled at $40.76 yesterday, has surrendered 15.5% year-to-date. In fact, a further capitulation among bullish brokerage firms could exacerbate losses. After all, despite MET's woeful track record, 10 of 12 analysts recommend buying the stock, with not a single "sell" rating on the books.

Sign up now for Schaeffer's Opening View newsletter to get a head start on all the major pre-market news!

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?