Latest news with #BernsteinSocGenGroup
Globe and Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Why UnitedHealth Stock Dipped Today After Bumping Higher Monday
Key Points One pundit tracking the stock became less bullish on its future. He knocked down his price target by 37%. 10 stocks we like better than UnitedHealth Group › What the stock analysis community giveth, it can also taketh away. That was the dynamic behind the slide of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) stock on Tuesday. As in the previous trading session, the big insurer was affected by an analyst's price target move. This time, however, this took the form of a cut rather than a raise. UnitedHealth closed the day down by 1.5% in value, a worse showing than the S&P 500 's (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) 0.6% decrease. A chop from a bull The analyst behind the slice was Lance Wilkes from Bernstein SocGen Group. Well before the market open Tuesday, Wilkes took a powerful weed whacker to his UnitedHealth fair value assessment, reducing it to $377 per share; formerly, he believed it was worth as much as $594. Despite the rather drastic adjustment, he maintained his recommendation of outperform (buy, in other words). According to reports, Wilkes wrote in his UnitedHealth update that he expects the company's performance to remain weak through this year, and has commensurately reduced his earnings estimate and target P/E. For the former, he cut his per-share profitability for full-year 2026 by 13%, and for the latter to 12.5 from the preceding 18. The analyst also cited sluggish growth in the insurer's key OptumHealth unit as a reason for his price target cut. Warren likes it UnitedHealth has landed on many an investor's radar following news last week that Berkshire Hathaway had plonked down $1.6 billion for a stake in the company. Anytime Warren Buffett 's investment vehicle buys (or sells, for that matter) a pack of stock for its equity portfolio, the target company becomes a lightning rod for investors. Buffett and Berkshire surely see a company that has potential to reach. Others might consider it something of a clunky underperformer that's fairly -- or even overly -- valued these days. Should you invest $1,000 in UnitedHealth Group right now? Before you buy stock in UnitedHealth Group, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and UnitedHealth Group wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $671,466!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,115,633!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,077% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 185% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of August 18, 2025
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Bernstein Reaffirms Outperform on TSM, $249 PT Amid Rising Capex Trends
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM) is one of the On August 15, Bernstein SocGen Group analyst Mark Li reiterated an Outperform rating on the stock with a $249.00 price target. The firm's analysis is a reflection of TSMC's significant position in the semiconductor equipment market. Investors are paying close attention to TSM's spending plans as they impact semiconductor equipment stocks, the broader chip industry, and AI. Bernstein noted that a substantial portion of TSMC's capital expenditure is allocated to infrastructure and non-wafer-based equipment, such as packaging and testing technologies. The firm also noted how WFE-to-semiconductor ratio remains elevated due to on shoring trends and technological complexity. Recent data illustrates that capital expenditure per wafer is also rising more rapidly than previously anticipated. Moreover, TSMC's spending is deflationary while China's is inflationary. With the US pushing companies to bring production back home, it is unclear whether it will be as aggressive as China. 'TSMC is 15-25% of the global wafer fab equipment (WFE) market, but China is 30-40%, as a sizable part of TSMCs capex is for infrastructure & non-wafer-based equipment (e.g. for packaging & testing). 15-25% is consistent with TSMC being10-20% of their total revenue disclosed by AMAT & TEL & 30-40% by ASML. Technology complexity & onshoring trend will keep the overall WFE/semi ratio elevated if not higher. Recent data suggests capex per wafer is rising more rapidly than we thought. More importantly TSMCs deflationary but China is inflationary & much bigger. The US uses tariffs, etc. to push onshoring capacity but also grants exemptions. This motivates companies/countries to over-promise & under-deliver. Time will tell if the US will be as forceful as China to make the US as meaningful to WFE.' Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM) manufactures and sells advanced chips used in artificial intelligence applications. While we acknowledge the potential of TSM as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: and Disclosure: None.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Bernstein Affirms ‘Outperform' Rating on Ryanair Holdings (RYAAY), Hikes Price Target
Ryanair Holdings plc (NASDAQ:RYAAY) is one of the top industrial stocks to buy amid easing tariff uncertainties. On July 22, Bernstein SocGen Group reiterated an 'Outperform' rating on the stock and raised the price target to €28 from €27. The positive stance follows the stock's remarkable strength year to date. The Irish airline continues to deliver solid results by benefiting from fare growth. Fares have increased compared to both 2023 and 2024, attributed to high demand for revenge travel. The high travel demand has resulted in a 9.24% increase in revenue and a 28.86% improvement in the gross profit margin. In June, the airline carried 19.9 million passengers, marking 3% year-over-year increase, affirming the strong demand. In addition, Ryanair has been effective in cost control, with unit costs excluding fuel increasing by just 1.6% amid robust revenue growth. While Bernstein expects non-fuel costs to increase by between 3% and 4% for the year, the lower fuel costs are expected to help offset this increase. Therefore, total cost growth is likely to be below management guidance. Ryanair Holdings plc (NASDAQ:RYAAY) is an Irish airline holding company that provides low-fare, short-haul passenger airline services to destinations with a network connecting over 240 destinations in more than 40 countries. In addition to its core flight operations, the company also offers various ancillary services, including car hire, travel insurance, and accommodation, through its website and mobile app. While we acknowledge the potential of RYAAY as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 12 Best Falling Stocks to Buy Now and 12 Best Copper Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
09-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Palo Alto Networks (PANW) Price Target Trimmed to $204 Despite Positive CyberArk Outlook
Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:PANW) is one of the . On August 6, Bernstein SocGen Group analyst Peter Weed lowered the price target on the stock to $204.00 (from $225.00) while maintaining an Outperform rating. The firm reviewed the $25b CyberArk acquisition and ultimately views it positively despite intial negative investor reaction. It believes the deal has long-term strategic benefits that outweigh short-term dilution and market volatility. 'Is the CyberArk deal accretive? Last week Palo Alto announced their intention to acquired CyberArk in a cash + equity deal worth ~$25B at the then-PANW stock price (~$5B premium) — this would be an effective FCF/share dilution of ~6% + $2B cash and any restructuring costs. Since then, investors reacted negatively and PANW's market captalization lost the equivalent to CyberArk's predeal value (~$20B). After exploring the deal potential, we come away more constructive. We find these worries half-baked. Channel checks continue to confirm platformization resonates.' The firm further noted how CyberArk is a strong player and is considered an AI winner. The current gap in their portfolio will be closed through this deal. 'Instead, we believe the strategy to enter Identity closes the remaining gap in their portfolio. It also offers a rare toehold in an AI-winner cyber category. The deal is large because CyberArk covers all the key parts to enter, is a strong player, and is considered an AI winner. Assuming Palo Alto stays on strategy, there aren't other large portfolio gaps (thus large targets) to acquire.' Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:PANW) is a leader in AI-powered cybersecurity. While we acknowledge the potential of PANW as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: and Disclosure: None. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
25-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bernstein Lifts AMD Price Target to $140—But Still Holds Rating
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:) is one of the . On July 21, Bernstein SocGen Group analyst Stacy Rasgon raised the price target on the stock to $140.00 (from $95.00) while maintaining a 'Hold' rating. Despite the hold rating, Rasgon has highlighted several positive catalysts working in favour of the stock. In particular, the analyst noted that the lifted ban on AI chip sales to China, upcoming MI350 product launch, and gaming recovery have been good for the company. This is why Rasgon updated his estimates for AMD earnings, which includes Q2 adjusted EPS of 49 cents on revenue of $7.52 billion, as compared to a prior estimate of 47 cents and $7.4 billion. The analyst also updated Q3 estimates, projecting $8.43 billion in revenue and $1.20 in earnings per share. He also updated his full-year 2025 estimate to $ $32.0 billion in revenue and $3.89 earnings per share. An experienced financial analyst pouring over financial statements and market data. Regardless, the firm still remains cautious due to high valuation and expected risk of client channel flush and tariff pull-forward reversal. Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMD) develops and sells semiconductors, processors, and GPUs for data centers, gaming, AI, and embedded applications. While we acknowledge the potential of AMD as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: and Disclosure: None. Sign in to access your portfolio
