Analyst activity on August 17 shows a clear divide in the energy sector. Halliburton and SLB both saw consensus target prices trimmed. Expand Energy took a harder hit — Johnson Rice downgraded the natural gas producer to Hold from Buy. The firm cut its target to $125 from $135, a 7% reduction. Expand Energy carries a $21.9 billion market cap.
On the positive side, Amgen drew broad analyst support. Consensus targets moved up to $385.34 from $383.66. The biotech giant has a $224 billion market cap. Short interest sits at just 2.5% of free float — bears are not pressing the stock.
MGM Resorts got a boost from Macquarie. Analyst Chad Beynon raised his target to $55 from $54 and kept a Buy rating. MGM carries notably higher short interest at 12.8% of free float. A bullish call here adds pressure on shorts.
Baker Hughes bucked the oilfield services gloom. Its consensus target edged up to $71.61. drew a fresh Buy initiation from DA Davidson at a $150 target, reinforcing the retailer's defensive appeal heading into the back-to-school season.
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