Before Wednesday’s opening bell, a number of big name dividend stocks were the subject of analyst moves. Below, we highlight the important analyst commentary for investors.
Jefferies Raises Numbers on Apple
Jefferies has boosted its price target on Apple Inc. (AAPL ) to $124. The firm has also raised estimates on Apple as the company is seeing higher iPhone demand. See AAPL’s Q1 earnings report here. AAPL has a dividend yield of 1.72%.
Two Analyst Moves on Caterpillar
Following its earnings release on Tuesday, Caterpillar Inc. (CAT ) was subject to two analyst moves.
JP Morgan has upgraded CAT from “Underweight” to “Neutral” on a valuation call, based on its $78 price target.
Raymond James has cut its price target on CAT to $85, suggesting a 6% increase. The firm has also lowered estimates on CAT due to its new guidance. CAT has a dividend yield of 3.51%.
Du Pont Downgraded at JP Morgan
E I Du Pont De Nemours And Co (DD ) has been cut to “Neutral” at JP Morgan on a valuation call, based on the firm’s $72 price target. DD has a dividend yield of 2.57%.
Southwest Airlines Boosted to “Outperform”
Credit Suisse has upgraded Southwest Airlines Co (LUV ) from “Neutral” to “Outperform” and has given the company a $62 price target, suggesting a 35% upside. The firm has also boosted estimates on LUV due to lower fuel costs. LUV has a dividend yield of 0.52%.
Leerink Partners Cuts PT on Stryker
Leerink Partners has lowered its price target on Stryker Corporation (SYK ) to $103, suggesting a 12% upside. The firm has also cut estimates on SYK due to the company’s currency exposure. SYK has a dividend yield of 1.49%.
Credit Suisse Downgrades American Airlines
American Airlines Group Inc (AAL) has been cut to “Neutral” at Credit Suisse on a valuation call. AAL has a dividend yield of 0.76%.
Freeport-McMoRan Downgraded at Two Firms
Brean has downgraded Freeport-McMoRan Inc (FCX ) from “Buy” to “Hold” as the company is seeing negative cash flow and is accumulating debt.
JP Morgan has lowered its price target on FCX to $24, suggesting a 33% increase. The firm has also lowered estimates on FCX due to lower expected energy production. FCX has a dividend yield of 6.80%.
National-Oilwell Varco Downgraded to “Underperform”
National-Oilwell Varco, Inc. (NOV ) has been cut to “Underperform” at Credit Suisse as the company is leveraged to lower energy prices. The firm has a $43 price target on NOV, suggesting a 35% decline. NOV has a dividend yield of 3.19%.
Credit Suisse Cuts PT on Dover
Credit Suisse has lowered its price target on Dover Corp (DOV ) to $83, suggesting a 17% increase. The firm has also lowered estimates on DOV due to the company’s new guidance. DOV has a dividend yield of 2.26%.
A. O. Smith Cut to “Neutral”
A. O. Smith Corp (AOS ) has been downgraded from “Outperform” to “Neutral” at Wedbush on a valuation call, as the stock has increased over 28% in the last nine months. AOS has a dividend yield of 1.27%.
BMO Capital Cuts Estimates on Graco
BMO Capital has lowered its estimates on Graco Inc. (GGG ) through 2016 as the company is facing margins pressures. The firm has a “Market Perform” and a $79 price target on GGG. GGG has a dividend yield of 1.68%.
