Analysts upwardly revised their ratings and price targets on AXP, FB, and SBUX stocks
Analysts are weighing in on Dow stock American Express Company (NYSE:AXP), social network Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB), and cafe chain Starbucks. Here's a quick roundup of today's bullish brokerage notes on shares of AXP and FB, as well as SBUX stock.
American Express Earnings Wins Analyst Applause
AXP's earnings beat has sparked a round of bullish brokerage attention. Specifically, no fewer than four analysts raised their price targets on the stock, with Bernstein setting the bar highest, at $95 -- in two-year-high territory, and a 25.7% premium to Wednesday's close at $75.55. As such, American Express Company shares are sitting 2.6% higher in electronic trading, about to add to their 18.9% year-over-year advance. More bullish attention could come down the pike on AXP stock. After all, two-thirds of covering analysts rate the shares a "hold" or "strong sell."
Susquehanna Sees Higher Highs For Facebook
Susquehanna upped its price target to $180 on FB stock, in uncharted waters, saying the company is "committed to winning the clone war against SNAP." Facebook Inc shares ended yesterday at $142.27, not far from their April 5 all-time peak at $143.44. With the stock just a chip-shot from that milestone, it's little surprise options traders have been placing bullish bets over bearish. During the last four weeks at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), FB has racked up a call/put volume ratio of 1.83.
SBUX Stock Upgraded Amid Unicorn Frappuccino Frenzy
As buzz swirls around the company's Unicorn Frappuccino, SBUX received an upgrade to "buy" from "hold" at Stifel, which also boosted its price target to $67 from $60 -- in never-before-seen territory. This comes ahead of next Thursday night's earnings report. Yesterday, Starbucks Corporation shares landed at $59.04, and have been largely winding between $54-$60 since mid-November. Open interest on SBUX options, meanwhile, is extremely tilted toward puts. Specifically, the stock's Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio (SOIR) of 1.05 ranks in the 99th percentile of its annual range.