Here are Wednesday’s biggest calls on Wall Street: Morgan Stanley reiterates Nvidia as overweight Morgan Stanley raised its price target on the stock to $1,000 per share from $795. “Even given strong YTD appreciation, we make the case for maintaining outsized exposure to AI – and that, increasingly, NVIDIA is the best way to get that exposure in our coverage. Reiterate OW, PT to $1000.” Bank of America reiterates Nvidia as buy Bank of America said it’s sticking with the stock as a top pick. “While there is always the potential for near-term summer consolidation in NVDA stock (such as we saw from Aug-Dec last year), we believe the fundamentals are solidly on track and periods of consolidation (trading sideways) tend to set the stock up for strong moves later. Maintain Buy, top pick, $1100 PO.” Piper Sandler reiterates Tesla as overweight Piper lowered its price target on Tesla to $205 per share from $225 but said it’s sticking with its overweight rating. “First, we’re cutting our estimates and DCF based price target, to reflect weaker-than-expected Q1 deliveries, as well as a challenging demand outlook in 2024/2025. Second, as highlighted on pages 2-26, we’re updating our proprietary forecast for full self-driving (FSD) software.” Jefferies names Zillow a top pick Jefferies said the online housing website company is a new top idea at the firm. “A One in a Zillion Opportunity; Moving Z to Our Top Pick.” Mizuho reiterates Block as buy Mizuho raised its price target on the payment company to $106 per share from $99. “Reinvigorated management focus on the Cash App and Square ecosystems could potentially drive meaningful upside to the 2024 guide. Management guided to 15%+ gross profit growth, but we see potential for > 20%. Bank of America reiterates Coinbase as underperform. Bank of America raised its price target on Coinbase to $110 per share from $92. “We maintain our Underperform rating given crypto market unpredictability, lack of revenue diversification, valuation and potential risks related to SEC litigation.” Barclays upgrades Visteon to overweight from equal weight Barclays said it sees “outgrowth narratives” for the auto manufacturer. “Our VC upgrade reflects our view that outgrowth narratives should accelerate in a flat production environment, supporting a mid-teen EBITDA CAGR through 2026.” Bank of America reiterates Alphabet as buy Bank of America said “AI innovation [was] on display” at the company’s Google Cloud Next event. ” Google kicked-off its annual Cloud Next event with a keynote announcing new custom AI chips, platform-wide Gemini integration, strategic partnerships, and customer traction.” Citi upgrades International Flavors to buy from neutral Citi said the scent manufacturer is a “turnaround story with compelling industry setup.” “With most of the news flow behind the stock (dividend cut, Pharma sale), we see IFF as well positioned to recover volume and expand margins in FY24.” Goldman Sachs initiates Alcon as buy Goldman said the ophthalmology company has “diverse drivers of growth.” ” Alcon’s core businesses are delivering solid growth, supported by what we see as strong market positions and attractive end markets.” Barclays initiates Chevron and Exxon as overweight Barclays said in its initiation of Chevron and Exxon that the “sector offers a better value proposition than ever before.” “We prefer companies that have: 1) a high rate of growth for cash flow per debt-adjusted share, 2) significant cash return to shareholders, 3) under-levered balance sheets.” TD Cowen upgrades First Cash to outperform from market perform TD Cowen said the pawn shop operator is in a “strong operating environment.” “We also recognize the scarcity value in FCFS, with strong counter-cyclical growth and low credit risk.” William Blair initiates Vital Farms as outperform William Blair said Vital is “well positioned in the large and growing U.S. clean label food industry.” “We are initiating coverage of Vital Farms with an Outperform rating.” Canaccord initiates Hims and Hers as buy Canaccord said in its initiation of the telehealth company that it’s bullish on shares of Hims and Hers. “Despite the stock’s recent move higher following strong Q4 results, we see a healthy long-term opportunity supported by a recurring and rapidly growing online subscription revenue stream, expanding margins, and positive FCF.” Argus upgrades Cava to buy from hold Argus said investors should buy the dip in the Mediterranean food chain. “We have been waiting for a sell-off in the CAVA stock in order to move this high-flier to the BUY list. In the last two weeks, that opportunity has materialized, as the shares are down some 17% from 52-week highs.” Truist downgrades Deckers to hold from buy Truist said its survey checks show Hoka trends are softening for Deckers. “Downgrading to Hold as Truist Card indicates HOKA DTC [direct to consumer] trends softened in Feb.” Morgan Stanley reiterates General Motors as overweight Morgan Stanley raised its price target on the stock to $46 per share from $43. “Ahead of 1Q, we wanted to ‘mark to market’ our GM model where we double our FY restructuring/impairment charges to $3bn trim capex to low-end of guide and raise EPS by 9%.” Bank of America upgrades Albemarle to buy from neutral Bank of America said in its upgrade of the lithium company that lithium pricing has “troughed.” “We are upgrading Albemarle to Buy from Neutral, based on our view that lithium pricing troughed in 1Q24, and market fundamentals could improve from here. Deutsche Bank reiterates Amazon as buy Deutsche said the company is a top pick heading into earnings. ” Amazon remains our favorite name across our e-commerce coverage heading into earnings given: healthy underlying industry and credit card data trends that should be supportive of 1Q revenue upside and 2Q revenue expectations that are well within reach.” KeyBanc upgrades GoodRx to overweight from sector weight Key upgraded the telemedicine platform company on improving data trends. “We are upgrading CERT to OW on improving end markets and upgrading GDRX to OW on more positive data trends. Goldman Sachs initiates PG & E as buy Goldman said the utility company has earnings growth potential. “Buy PG & E Corp (PCG) for peer leading earnings growth, driven by positive thematic leverage and cost discipline, at a discount.” Bank of America upgrades Canadian National to buy from neutral Bank of America upgraded the rail company after it said the “grain crop is not as bad as originally feared.” “We raise our rating on Canadian National to Buy from Neutral as volumes are trending slightly ahead of our expectations, the grain crop is not as bad as originally feared, and CN appears on track to achieve its near-term double-digit earnings growth objective.”
