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Apple, Universal Health Services, Snap Stock Upgraded

Apple, Universal Health Services, and Snap stocks are on analysts' bullish radar today

Mar 27, 2017 at 9:27 AM
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Analysts are weighing in on iPhone maker Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), healthcare issue Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS), and Snapchat parent Snap Inc (NYSE:SNAP). Here's a quick roundup of today's bullish brokerage notes on shares of AAPL, UHS, and SNAP stock.

Apple Stock Gets Mixed Reviews From Analysts

Analysts are again adjusting their outlooks on AAPL stock, with J.P. Morgan Securities adding the shares to its "Focus List," along with a price-target increase to $165, based on a stronger-than-expected iPhone sales projection. However, FBN Securities released a note telling investors to "be careful" because Apple Inc. is "getting more concerning." The brokerage cited falling market share in China, potential difficulties in India, a mature smartphone market, and lower gross magins on the iPhone -- though the analysts maintained their "outperform" rating and $155 price target. 

AAPL shares closed Friday at $140.64, up 33% year-over-year, and not far from last Tuesday's record high of $142.80. Turning to the options data, short-term speculators are far less call-skewed than normal. This is based on the stock's Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio (SOIR) of 0.95, which is just 10 percentage points from an annual high. In other news, the company just won an iPhone patent dispute in China. 

Mizuho Upgrades Universal Health Services After Healthcare Vote Falters

After House Republicans last week failed to vote on an Obamacare replacement bill, Mizuho upgraded UHS stock to "buy" from "neutral," and raised its price target to $138 from $133. The stock closed Friday at $121.89, pennies below its 200-day moving average, and is now up 14.6% year-to-date. Some traders may be expecting more upside, too. For instance, short interest on Universal Health Services, Inc. declined by over 14% during the past two reporting periods. 

Bullish Notes Pour In on Snap Stock

SNAP stock is set to open 3.5% higher, thanks to a number of bullish brokerage notes. No fewer than nine analysts initiated coverage on the Wall Street rookie with the equivalent of a "buy" recommendation -- including Jefferies, which also set a $30 price target, and said Snap Inc "has all the ingredients to build a robust advertising business." Others are still taking a wait-and-see approach, though, with three brokerages giving the stock the equivalent of a "hold" rating, while Summit Redstone called it a "sell" and set a $17 price target. SNAP shares were last seen at $22.74. While this is below where they began trading back on March 2 ($24), the shares have bounced back since bottoming at $18.90 on March 17. 

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