Cisco stock is set to pull back, as options traders expected
Analysts are weighing in on Dow stock Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO), steel giant Nucor Corporation (NYSE:NUE), and marketing technology provider TechTarget Inc (NASDAQ:TTGT). Here's a quick roundup of today's bearish brokerage notes on shares of CSCO, NUE, and TTGT.
Another Earnings Disappointment for Cisco
Cisco stock is set to lose almost 2% today, following the company's latest
earnings release. Plus, Cowen, Raymond James, and J.P. Morgan Securities all lowered their price targets, with the latter setting the lowest mark at $31.50. Even if these pre-market losses come to fruition, CSCO shares should remain in positive year-to-date territory, after closing yesterday at $32.34. Like
options traders, some short sellers should still be pleased with the technical weakness, since these bearish bets increased by almost 12% during the most recent reporting period.
Nucor Downgraded at KeyBanc
KeyBanc downgraded Nucor stock to "sector weight" from "overweight," going against the general opinion on the Street. That is, 10 of 12 brokerage firms had "strong buy" ratings on NUE shares as of last night's close. The equity was last seen at $56.73, down almost 5% year-to-date, though the 320-day moving average has provided solid support in recent weeks.
In the options pits, traders have been extremely put-focused. Data from the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX) shows a 10-day put/call volume ratio of 4.92, which is only 1 percentage point from a 12-month high. Said differently, put buying has been unusually popular, relative to call buying.
Jefferies Cuts Rating on TTGT Shares
TechTarget has gained over 26% during the past 12 months to trade at $9.90, but Jefferies still downgraded the stock this morning to "hold" from "buy." It's now the first brokerage to issue anything lower than a "buy" recommendation on the shares, which have an average 12-month price target of $11.40. Still, TTGT shareholders will be hoping the 50-day moving average can contain any pullback, as this trendline has acted as solid support since last November.