Analysts downwardly revised their ratings and price targets on AEO stock, CAH stock, and VRX stock
Analysts are weighing in on retail stock American Eagle, drug distributor Cardinal Health Inc (NYSE:CAH), and pharma firm Valeant Pharmaceuticals Intl Inc (NYSE:VRX). Here's a quick roundup of today's bearish brokerage notes on AEO stock, as well as CAH and VRX shares.
AEO Stock Sinks on Downgrade
B. Riley lowered its rating on AEO to "neutral" from "buy," and also slashed its price target to $15 from $18. American Eagle shares have dropped 1.3% to $13.25 on the bearish note, continuing their downtrend that started in late-November, after the stock peaked at $19. In fact, AEO is fresh off an April 5 record low of $13.04. There's plenty of room left for downgrades, too. Despite AEO stock's technical troubles, half of its 18 covering analysts still maintain a "buy" or better opinion, with just one "sell" assessment to be found.
Cardinal Health Gaps Lower on Guidance, Medtronic Deal
CAH has gapped 11.4% lower to trade at $72.48, pressured by a disappointing full-year earnings forecast, and news the company will buy $6.1 billion worth of assets from Medtronic Plc (NYSE:MDT). Making matters worse, Fitch downwardly revised its outlook to "negative," in response. Today's bear gap has Cardinal Health Inc on the short-sale restricted list, and not far from its year-to-date breakeven mark. Plus, bullish options traders could be in trouble. At the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), CAH stock's 10-day call/put volume ratio of 3.50 is just 9 percentage points from an annual high -- suggesting a near-extreme preference for calls over puts.
Deutsche Bank Drills Valeant Pharmaceuticals Stock
VRX is extending its long-term descent, down 3.7% at $9.13 and fresh off an eight-year low of $9.06. Crushing the stock is a price-target cut to $18 from $19 at Deutsche Bank, which is just more of the same. Specifically, among the 11 analysts tracking Valeant Pharmaceuticals Intl Inc, nine have dished out a "hold" or "strong sell" rating. The brokerage crowd isn't alone in its skepticism, either. For example, 15% of VRX stock's float is dedicated to short interest, following a 33.5% jump in the past two reporting periods.