Analyst Downgrades: Twitter Inc, Tesla Motors Inc, and SolarCity Corp

Analysts downwardly revised their ratings and price targets on Twitter Inc (TWTR), Tesla Motors Inc (TSLA), and SolarCity Corp (SCTY)

Feb 11, 2016 at 9:29 AM

Analysts are weighing in on microblogging interest Twitter Inc (NYSE:TWTR), electric carmaker Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA), and solar energy stock SolarCity Corp (NASDAQ:SCTY). Here's a quick roundup of today's bearish brokerage notes on TWTR, TSLA, and SCTY.

TWTR is on pace to mark yet another record low today, pointed 5.2% lower ahead of the bell, after the company reported earnings and warned that user growth on the website has stalled. Pacific Crest downgraded Twitter Inc to "sector weight" from "overweight" in response, while no fewer than 13 brokerage firms cut their price targets on the stock. Bearish betting on TWTR was already at an extreme in the option pits. Specifically, the equity's 10-day put/call volume ratio at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX) of 0.69 stands in the top percentile of its annual range. The stock closed at $14.98 on Wednesday, after hitting an all-time low of $14.32 earlier in the week.

TSLA also reported fourth-quarter earnings last night, with results coming in well below predictions. Still, CEO Musk waxed optimistic on 2016, and said the Model 3 will be unveiled on March 31, sending the shares 4.8% higher in pre-market trading. Some analysts aren't buying it, though, with TSLA receiving at least six price-target cuts -- including a cut to $140 at UBS, below the stock's close of $143.67 on Wednesday. Tesla Motors Inc has shed more than 40% already in 2016, and touched a two-year low of $141.05 on Tuesday. TSLA option traders were eyeing more downside. The security has racked up a 10-day put/call volume ratio of 1.11 at the ISE, CBOE, and PHLX -- higher than 92% of all readings from the past year.

SCTY is headed for a 0.2% drop -- and could extend its post-earnings journey to two-year lows -- after the company said it appointed Tanguy Serra its new CFO, replacing Brad Buss. Analysts continue to revise their opinions -- which sunk solar stocks yesterday -- with Barclays downgrading SCTY to "equal weigh" from "overweight," and slashing its price target to $20 from $49, while BofA-Merrill Lynch cut its price target on the stock to $40 from $75. Analysts have mostly been bullish up until now, with 13 out of 15 giving the equity a "buy" rating or better. SCTY closed Wednesday at $18.63.

Sign up now for Schaeffer's Opening View newsletter to get a head start on all the major pre-market news!

Follow @Schaeffers

You Don’t Need 25 Alerts -- You Need ONE You Can Trust!

That’s the idea behind Trade of the Week, Schaeffer’s newest trade alert.

Every Monday morning before the opening bell, you’ll receive a single, expertly researched trade recommendation -- built from the same proprietary research we’ve been using for over four decades.

It’s not just a signal.

It’s a plan designed for traders who are tired of jumping from alert to alert without ever finding their edge.

No juggling alerts. No switching directions mid-week. Just one clear, expertly researched trade idea -- delivered before the market even opens.

👉 JOIN RIGHT NOW FOR JUST $1 TO GET THE NEXT TRADE!