Analysts Turn Bullish on Airlines and Biotech

Analyst target price revisions are broad across sectors today, but two upgrades stand out for the divergence they signal.

UAL received a consensus target price lift to $152.52, up fractionally from $152.48. The airline sector is drawing renewed attention. EU airport movements hit their lowest March total in four years earlier this year, but that weakness appears to be fading from analyst models.

The bigger move is in biotech. MRNA saw its consensus target jump to $130.58 from $124.72, a 4.7% increase. Three analysts rate Moderna a buy. The stock is also an effective MSCI World addition, with ORTEX Index Rebalance Radar pointing to $5.4 billion in forced buying when the November review goes live on 11 November. That index flow adds a mechanical tailwind to the bullish analyst call.

DHR attracted a target raise to $249.23 from $244.14. Danaher sits in the medtech and life science tools space. It carries 22 buy ratings from analysts.

On the downside, ABT saw its consensus target trimmed to $119.68 from $120.72. The cut is modest, but it bucks the broadly positive tone today. Abbott still holds 24 buy ratings.

MCO also saw a slight target reduction to $550.67. At that price, Moody's remains well regarded by analysts, with 18 buys in the consensus. The trim may simply reflect post-earnings multiple discipline rather than a change in view.