The tech name will likely benefit from a bigger LCD market
The Dow is down triple digits, pressured by large losses from blue chips Boeing (BA) and DowDuPont (DWDP). Among other names making notable moves are FAANG stock Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX), drone maker AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV), and touch pad specialist Synaptics, Incorporated (NASDAQ:SYNA). Here's a quick look at what's moving shares of NFLX, AVAV, and SYNA.
Bull Notes Continue to Pour in Ahead of Netflix Earnings
Netflix stock is up 3.3% to trade at $307.81, after the streaming giant received more bullish brokerage attention. While Monness Crespi Hardt transferred coverage with a "buy" rating and $350 target, Cowen and Company raised its NFLX price target to $325 from $275, while Goldman Sachs boosted its target to $360 from $315. The latter not only sits well above the equity's March 12 record high of $333.98, but represents expected upside of 17% to current trading levels -- with the brokerage firm saying Netflix will likely report stronger-than-expected first-quarter results after the market closes next Monday, April 16.
NFLX shares are now on track to log their sixth win in seven sessions, bringing their year-to-date lead north of 60%. Nevertheless, 14 of 34 analysts still maintain a "hold" or "sell" rating on Netflix, and the average 12-month price target of $293.36 stands at a discount to the stock's current perch. A continued round of upbeat analyst attention or a solid earnings showing could draw even more buyers to the table.
AeroVironment Stock Heads Toward Best Day Since December
AeroVironment stock has shot 16.6% higher to trade at $54.08, boosted by an upgrade to "buy" from "hold" at Stifel. The brokerage firm also raised its price target to $65 -- a 20% premium to current trading levels, and the highest on Wall Street -- waxing optimistic on opportunity for revenue growth in the company's unmanned aerial systems division.
AVAV stock is on track for its highest close since Jan. 2 -- and its biggest one-day gain since December -- and short sellers are likely getting spooked. Short interest on AVAV rose 34.3% in the two most recent reporting periods, to 2.08 million shares. Not only does this account for a healthy 10% of the equity's available float, but also 5.8 times the average daily pace of trading.
Mizuho Upgrades Synaptics Stock to "Buy"
Mizuho upgraded Synaptics stock to "buy" from "neutral," and boosted its price target to $55 from $42. The analyst in coverage thinks the Apple supplier can benefit from the increased exposure to a liquid-crystal display (LCD) iPhone market. In reaction, SYNA shares are up 9.3% to trade at $48.10, and are now boasting a 20.4% year-to-date gain.
Short covering could also be fueling today's upside. Nearly 7.7 million SYNA shares are sold short, accounting for 22.8% of the stock's available float -- or 17.7 times the stock's average daily pace of trading.