Airlines Soar as Analysts Lift Targets

Airline stocks are drawing fresh analyst support. Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and Southwest Airlines all saw consensus target prices move higher on Friday. Delta's average target rose to $86.41 from $85.33. United's climbed to $136.63 from $135.00. The moves follow a broader recovery in travel demand. Delta carries a market cap of $60 billion. Short interest sits at just 3.6% of free float — bears aren't pressing the sector hard.

The biggest individual call came from Wells Fargo. Analyst Joe Quatrochi raised his target on Applied Materials to $740 from $715, maintaining a Buy rating. AMAT's consensus now stands at 31 Buys versus 6 Holds. The chipmaker carries a $530 billion market cap. Semiconductor equipment names have benefited from AI-driven fab investment cycles.

In energy, Exxon Mobil saw its consensus target tick up while EOG Resources and Diamondback Energy faced small target cuts. That split suggests analysts are rotating preference toward integrated majors over pure-play shale producers.

UBS lifted its target on biotech Incyte to $113 from $103 — a 10-point jump — while keeping a Hold rating. Restaurant chain Darden got a UBS Buy reiteration with a target increase to $240.