Downgrade Hits Cooper, Targa Gets Big Target Boost

Analysts made several notable moves on Thursday. William Blair cut COO (The Cooper Companies) to Hold from Buy. The contact-lens maker carries a $12.4 billion market cap. Short interest sits at a modest 3.9% of free float — the downgrade is a fundamental call, not a short-squeeze story.

Scotiabank's Brandon Bingham made contrasting calls on midstream energy. He raised his target on TRGP (Targa Resources) sharply to $314 from $257 — a 22% jump. The $62 billion natural gas gatherer retains a Buy rating. In the same note, Bingham trimmed his target on WMB (Williams Companies) to $85 from $86, while keeping Buy intact.

TTD (The Trade Desk) saw its consensus target edge up to $13.57 from $13.53. Short interest in the ad-tech name stands at 19.8% of free float, making it one of the most shorted names in the group. Any positive analyst momentum here can sting bears.

Macquarie initiated XYZ (Block) at Hold with a $75 target. Meanwhile, alternative asset managers ARES and APO (Apollo Global) both saw small consensus target increases, reflecting continued bullish sentiment toward the private credit sector.