Analyst Update: Mondelez International Inc, NeoPhotonics Corp, and Apple Inc.

Analysts are weighing in on snack giant Mondelez International Inc (NASDAQ:MDLZ), circuit maker NeoPhotonics Corp (NYSE:NPTN), and tech titan Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL). Here's a quick roundup of today's brokerage notes on MDLZ, NPTN, and AAPL. 

• MDLZ is up 1% today at $45.58 -- just above its year-to-date breakeven price -- after Susquehanna raised its opinion to "positive" from "neutral," while upping its price target to $60 from $46. In the note, the brokerage firm said it is "unlikely MDLZ will remain 'as is' over the next 12 months," predicting the company will either buy Hershey Co (NYSE:HSY) -- "turmoil at the Hershey Trust makes such an event more realistic than in the past" -- or be bought out. With earnings scheduled for Wednesday morning, most analysts are already bullish on Mondelez International Inc, as 11 of 14 give the stock a "buy" or better rating, with zero "sells" on the board. In other news, MDLZ has agreed to a digital advertising partnership with Fox Networks Group. 

• An upgrade to "strong buy" from "buy" at Needham -- which also raised its price target to $18 from $17, and predicted a "mega cycle" for the optical component sector -- has NPTN up 17.3% at $13.05. The move puts the shares on pace for their best close since late April, and brings the stock's 12-month gain to 41.6%. Despite this strong performance, short interest on NeoPhotonics Corp jumped by 35% in the past two reporting periods, and now a record 2.8 million shares are sold short. 

• Ahead of tomorrow's highly anticipated earnings release, AAPL was downgraded to "sell" at BGC Partners, which also cut its price target to $85. The brokerage firm cited seven primary catalysts behind the move, including "Our view that Apple's software products are lackluster," and "Our opinion that Apple has peaked under the leadership of CEO Tim Cook." Further, BGC opined that "The dynamics of the next iPhone cycle may underwhelm even with the installed base of approximately 1 billion active devices." At last check, AAPL has dropped 1.6% to sit at $97.13, bringing its 2016 loss to 7.6%. The shares of Apple Inc. endured a major losing streak after the company's last earnings release, yet most analysts remain in the bulls' camp. In fact, 26 out of 31 brokerage firms maintain "buy" or better endorsements -- leaving the door wide open for downgrades, should AAPL disappoint again.