Before Thursday’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.
Credit Suisse Raises Estimates on Apple
Credit Suisse has boosted its price target on Apple (AAPL ) to $140, suggesting a 17% upside. The firm has also raised estimates on the company as it is seeing continued demand for iPhones. AAPL has a dividend yield of 1.57%
BMO Capital Lowers Estimates on Merck
BMO Capital has cut estimates on Merck (MRK ) through 2016 as the company is facing growth headwinds. The firm now has a $60 price target on MRK, suggesting that the stock will remain flat. MRK has a dividend yield of 3.04%
Costco Cut to “Hold”
Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST ) has been downgraded from “Buy” to “Hold” at Deutsche Bank as the company is being faced with currency and gasoline headwinds. The firm has a $142 price target on COST, suggesting a 9% decline. COST has a dividend yield of 0.91%.
Citi Raises Estimates on General Motors Company
Citigroup has raised its price target on General Motors Company (GM ) to $49, suggesting a 36% upside. The firm has also boosted estimates on GM as the company is improving execution. GM has a dividend yield of 3.35%.
Automatic Data Processing Downgraded at BMO Capital
Automatic Data Processing (ADP ) has been cut to “Market Perform” at BMO Capital on a valuation call (based on the firm’s $89 price target). ADP has a dividend yield of 2.26%.
Ralph Lauren Receives Multiple Downgrades
Ralph Lauren (RL ) received multiple analyst downgrades.
Deutsche Bank has downgraded RL from “Buy” to “Hold” and has given the company a $136 price target, suggesting a 2% decline. The firm has also cut estimates on RL as the company is facing currency pressures.
Citigroup has cut its rating on RL from “Buy” to “Neutral” on a valuation call, based on the firm’s $145 price target.
Morgan Stanley has lowered its price target on RL to $145, suggesting a 3% increase. The firm has also cut estimates on RL due to the company’s new guidance.
RL has a dividend yield of 1.29%.
Sterne Agee Cuts PT on Allstate
Sterne Agee has lowered its price target on Allstate (ALL ) to $70, suggesting a 2% drop. The firm has also lowered estimates on the company due to higher losses. ALL has a dividend yield of 1.54%
Morgan Stanley Removes Macy’s From Best Ideas List
Macy’s (M ) has been cut to “Equal-weight” at Morgan Stanley on a valuation call. The stock has also been removed from the firm’s Best Ideas list. M has a dividend yield of 1.93%.
BMO Capital Raises Estimates on Aetna
BMO Capital has raised estimates on Aetna (AET) due to the company’s new guidance. The firm has also raised its price target on AET to $107, suggesting an 11% upside. AET has a dividend yield of 1.04%.
Fifth Third Bancorp Downgraded at BofA/Merrill Lynch
Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB ) has been downgraded from “Buy” to “Neutral” at Bank of America/Merrill Lynch as the company lacks near-term catalysts. The firm has a $20 price target on FITB, suggesting a 9% upside. FITB has a dividend yield of 2.83%.
Jefferies Raises PT on Kohl’s Corporation
Jefferies has raised its price target on Kohl’s (KSS ) to $76, suggesting a 14% increase. The firm has also boosted estimates on the retailer as it is seeing higher sales. KSS has a dividend yield of 2.35%.
