Edited by Peter Hillerberg1 min readStories are generated from ORTEX data and reviewed by the ORTEX team. How we publish
Analysts lifted ratings on AMAT and PANW in Friday's most notable calls. Both saw consensus upgrades, pushing average target prices higher across a broad analyst base.
Applied Materials now carries a consensus target of $628, up from $632 the prior period. 32 analysts cover the stock with a broadly positive tilt. The move reflects renewed confidence in semiconductor equipment demand as the AI buildout keeps capex elevated.
Palo Alto Networks also saw a net consensus upgrade. The target holds at $399, with 42 covering analysts maintaining a heavy bullish skew. Cybersecurity spending has been resilient even as enterprise IT budgets tighten elsewhere.
On the downgrade side, oil services names took cuts. SLB and Baker Hughes both saw target price reductions, with consensus targets trimmed to $62 and $71 respectively. Analysts are pricing in softer oilfield activity as crude hovers below breakeven thresholds for new deepwater projects.
STERIS also saw a target cut, dropping to $259 from $262. The medical device sterilisation firm sits in a sector where organic growth has slowed.
IDEXX Laboratories bucked the healthcare caution. Analysts upgraded the veterinary diagnostics group, lifting the consensus target to $706. Pet care spending has held up better than broader consumer discretionary.
Financials saw mixed action. M&T Bank and Regions Financial both had targets trimmed modestly, while Travelers picked up a fresh recommendation at a $365 target.
ORTEX Market Intelligence content is generated by AI from a snapshot of ORTEX's proprietary data and reviewed by the ORTEX team. Content is informational only and does not constitute investment advice.
