Plus, Credit Suisse thinks Snap stock will benefit from recent technology updates
Analysts are weighing in on digital payment platform PayPal Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:PYPL), social media giant Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB), and mobile camera application Snap Inc (NYSE:SNAP). Here's a quick roundup of today's bullish brokerage notes on shares of PYPL, FB, and SNAP.
Analyst Expects More Record Highs For PayPal Stock
PayPal stock is up 1.8% to trade at $67.21, earlier hitting a record high of $67.43, after Morgan Stanley upgraded the payments processor stock to "overweight" from "equal weight" and raised its price target to $76 from $62 -- in uncharted territory -- citing optimism for the company's revenue and earnings growth. Barclays also issued a price-target hike for PYPL, to $75 from $69.
PayPal stock has been surging up the charts since an earnings-induced bull gap in late April. So far, the security has tacked on 67.3% this year. Options traders have been surprisingly bearish toward PYPL, however, as evidenced by the equity's Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio (SOIR) of 1.25 -- ranking just 1 percentage point away from an annual high. This ratio suggests short-term options players are favoring puts over calls by an usual amount. An unwinding of these seemingly bearish bets could translate into tailwinds for the shares.
Facebook Stock Scores Big Price-Target Hike
Another stock analysts think will hit record highs in the near term is Facebook, last seen up 0.2% at $172.05, after Credit Suisse upped its price target to $235 from $190 -- an upside of 37% to current levels. The brokerage firm believes an increase in advertisement spending will boost Facebook's margins.
Like PYPL, the social media stock has had no problem climbing the charts this year, adding over 49% in value. The shares have relied on their trusty 80-day moving average to contain pullbacks in June, July and September. FB hit a record high of $175.49 on July 27, and it's safe to say the majority of analysts are convinced on its potential to push higher. Of the 24 analysts following the equity, all but one rate it a "buy" or better, with not a single "sell" in sight.
Analyst Expects SNAP To Surge On Technology Updates
Credit Suisse also had something to say about Snap stock this morning, boosting its price target to $20 from $17 -- territory the stock hasn't visited since June. The brokerage firm said the Snapchat parent is taking appropriate steps to strengthen its technology offering to allow advertisers to market to a younger demographic. In a similar vein, a survey conducted by a Piper Jaffray analyst shows that teens are preferring Snapchat over Facebook. SNAP shares were last seen trading at $14.64, up 2.2%.
Snapchat stock has been on the decline since its March initial public offering (IPO) date, struggling under the pressure of its 80-day moving average. Although the security has climbed 27% from its all-time low of $11.28 hit on Aug. 14 to current levels, not all analysts are convinced. More than 70% of the 28 analysts following the equity rate it a "hold" or worse.