Most analysts are upbeat on the underperformer
B. Riley/FBR initiated coverage on Pluristem Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:PSTI) with a "buy" rating and $4.50 price target -- a roughly 266% premium to last night's close. The analyst in coverage cited optimism surrounding the company's cell therapy treatments.
The bullish note has failed to spark a meaningful move higher in PSTI stock, though, which was last seen up 1% at $1.24. Longer term, the penny stock has been in a channel of lower highs and lows since topping out at an annual high of $2.12 last October -- though the $1.20 region has consistently emerged as a floor. What's more, the shares haven't traded near $4.50 since 2014.
Nevertheless, Pluristem Therapeutics has been a darling of analysts, with all four in coverage maintaining a "buy" or better rating. Plus, the average 12-month price target stands all the way up at $4. This puts the lagging stock at risk of downgrades and price-target cuts on continued weakness.