Analysts downwardly revised their ratings and price targets on AMZN, ESRX, and PCLN stocks
Analysts are weighing in on e-tailer Amazon, pharmacy benefits manager Express Scripts Holding Company (NASDAQ:ESRX), and travel stock Priceline Group Inc (NASDAQ:PCLN). Here's a quick roundup of today's bearish brokerage notes on AMZN stock, as well as shares of ESRX, and PCLN.
AMZN Stock Slapped With Rare Downgrade
Raymond James downgraded AMZN stock to "market perform" from "outperform," even with the shares lingering near their all-time highs. This is a rare dose of negativity for Amazon, which has received 27 "buy" or better ratings, versus three "holds" and just one "strong sell." At last check, the stock was perched just below breakeven at $906.73, ahead of Thursday night's earnings report.
Anthem Drama Drills Express Scripts Stock
ESRX shares are cratering, after the company's disappointing quarterly revenue and the likely loss of its contract with Anthem Inc (NYSE:ANTM), due to the latter's claims it's been overcharged. Adding salt to the wounds, no fewer than four analysts cut their price targets on Express Scripts Holding Company, including Baird to $56 from $73. Out of the gate, the stock is down 13.2% at $58.38, fresh off a four-year low of $57.80, and on the short-sale restricted list. Bearish options traders should be in good shape, though. During the past 10 weeks at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), ESRX stock has racked up a put/call volume ratio of 2.23 -- in the 80th percentile of its annual range.
Moffett Nathan Reins In Expectations on Priceline Stock
Despite hitting a record high of $1,807.78 out of the gate, PCLN was last seen fractionally lower at $1,798.45, after receiving a price-target cut to $1,825 from $1,850 at MoffettNathanson. Year-to-date, the stock has been strong, up 23%. Yet, short-term options traders have been surprisingly put-skewed toward Priceline Group Inc shares. PCLN stock has a Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio (SOIR) of 1.25 -- just 12 percentage points from a 52-week peak.