Analysts Split on Gaming, Back Chips and Payroll

Analyst desks delivered a mixed bag of calls on Monday. The standout upgrade went to PAYX. Analysts lifted the payroll processing giant from Hold to Buy. The average target price jumped to $105, up from $102. Paychex carries a $36 billion market cap and short interest of just 6.3% of free float — a low-conviction bear case.

MGM got the opposite treatment. Analysts cut the casino operator to a downgrade, with the consensus flipping from Hold to Sell territory. Short interest sits at 14.2% of free float. Bears are already circling the stock, and this call adds fuel.

The biggest target price move came in chips. MU saw its average analyst target climb to $867, up from $829 — a $38 jump. Micron's market cap now tops $1.1 trillion. With short interest at just 3.3% of free float, few are betting against it.

AON also got a quiet target bump. The insurance broker's average price target rose to $386 from $384. The change is small but adds to a broadly bullish consensus.

The overall tone leans cautious on consumer-facing names. Tech and financial services names continue to attract upgrades.