Analysts Lift Defense, Cool on Spice Giant

Defence names grabbed the biggest target lifts this week. Northrop Grumman saw its consensus target rise to $631.88 from $631.67, keeping the stock firmly in buy territory with 15 buy ratings against just one sell. Lockheed Martin also edged higher to a $636.43 consensus target. Both moves follow strong earnings across the defence sector.

Moderna earned the most meaningful upward target revision, with the consensus price climbing to $138.37 from $135.84. The stock carries 15 holds and four sells, so analysts remain cautious overall despite the bump.

McCormick drew a quiet downgrade, with its consensus target trimmed to $54.46 from $54.85. Eight analysts now rate it hold and seven buy, with no buys. McCormick is worth watching for another reason: ORTEX's Index Rebalance Radar places it at 77% probability of deletion from the MSCI World at the 11 November announcement. That could force meaningful passive selling if confirmed.

General Electric was the only large-cap to see a consensus target cut in the latest round, slipping to $378.43 from $378.90. The revision is minor, but the direction contrasts with the bullish mood elsewhere in industrials.

Meta Platforms and Apple both saw small target increases, lifting consensus to $844.77 and $329.25 respectively. Neither move breaks new ground for either stock.