Analyst Downgrades: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV, Valeant Pharmaceuticals Intl Inc, and Emerson Electric Co.

Analysts downwardly revised their ratings and price targets on Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV (FCAU), Valeant Pharmaceuticals Intl Inc (VRX), and Emerson Electric Co. (EMR)

Aug 19, 2016 at 10:27 AM

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Analysts are weighing in automaker Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV (NYSE:FCAU), biotech stock Valeant Pharmaceuticals Intl Inc (NYSE:VRX), and factory automation concern Emerson Electric Co. (NYSE:EMR). Here's a quick roundup of today's bearish brokerage notes on FCAU, VRX, and EMR.

Goldman Sachs waxed pessimistic on a handful of automakers this morning, including FCAU, which saw its price target trimmed to $8 from $8.30. The brokerage firm said it sees "clouds on the horizon" for the industry, said the demand cycle in the U.S. is at its peak, and noted a "13% probability of a severe downturn" for the sector. The shares of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV were last seen 3.2% lower at $6.59, bringing their year-to-date loss to 27.7%. Short sellers are betting on more downside for FCAU, as these bearish bets would take nearly eight sessions to buy back, at the equity's average pace of trading.

VRX is 0.4% lower at $29.30, extending yesterday's swoon that stemmed from a major shareholder lawsuit. Meanwhile, Piper Jaffray reiterated its "underweight " rating and paltry $22 price target, saying that even Valeant Pharmaceuticals Intl Inc's newly amended credit facility "does not render VRX investable." In addition, the analyst said "VRX's implied expectations for a significant 2H16 recovery is overly optimistic." Still, VRX boasts a month-to-date gain of 30%, thanks to a well-received outlook and plans to reorganize, as well as optimism over the aforementioned credit amendment. As with Piper Jaffray, most analysts remain skeptical, with nine out of 13 maintaining "hold" or worse recommendations.

EMR is sitting on a 3.9% loss at $52.57, after the company agreed to buy the valves and controls unit of Pentair plc Ordinary Share (NYSE:PNR) for $3.15 billion in cash. In response, Buckingham Research downgraded EMR to "underperform" from "neutral," and cut its price target to $44 from $49. Likewise, Credit Suisse revised its rating to "neutral" from "outperform." Emerson Electric Co. is no stranger to skepticism, though, as just three out of 17 brokerage firms offer up "buy" or better endorsements. The shares of EMR recently backed down from resistance in the formerly supportive $56 region, but could find support atop their ascending 32-week moving average.

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