Analysts Cut Utility, Industrial Names

Analyst activity on August 5 leaned bearish on two industrial and utility names, while a dental supplies stock received a notable target lift.

WEC Energy Group was downgraded by consensus today. The $35.6 billion utility saw its average target price slip from $123.75 to $123.03. Analysts shifted one hold to a sell. Short interest sits at just 4.2% of free float, so bears have limited company there.

AMETEK also drew a downgrade. One analyst moved from buy to hold on the electronic instruments maker. The average target eased from $263 to $268 — the consensus still skews bullish with 13 buys intact, but the loss of a buy vote is worth watching on a $56 billion name.

Henry Schein was the standout on the upside. Its consensus target jumped from $89.31 to $95.31 — a $6 lift. The healthcare distributor has been rebuilding after a 2023 cyberattack. Short interest is modest at 6.5% of free float.

DuPont de Nemours also saw its target nudged up to $169.88, reflecting renewed confidence in the specialty chemicals spinoff story.

Arista Networks drew another quiet target increase to $194.50. Analyst consensus remains overwhelmingly bullish with 28 buys and just one hold — a wall of support for the networking hardware leader.