Analysts Diverge on Healthcare and Cruises

Abbott Laboratories was downgraded by consensus on Tuesday, pulling the average analyst count toward hold. The $181bn medical device maker carries short interest of just under 1% of free float, suggesting limited bearish conviction despite the rating shift. The average target price held at $118.52.

Centene Corporation moved the other way. Analysts lifted their consensus target to $71.89, a small rise from $71.78. The managed-care insurer carries SI % FF of 2.5%, with short availability running at 5,572% of short interest. That level of availability leaves shorts with no squeeze risk.

Royal Caribbean Cruises saw its consensus target nudge up to $350.42 from $350.11. The cruise operator's SI % FF sits at 4.9%, the highest of the three names here, though the cost to borrow remains cheap at 0.47% APR.

Piper Sandler initiated Occidental Petroleum and ConocoPhillips both at Hold, setting targets of $69 and $157 respectively. The dual initiation reflects the broker's cautious stance on US exploration names amid uncertain oil prices.

Weyerhaeuser was cut at DA Davidson to a $27 target from $31, a 13% reduction, while the Buy rating was kept. The timber REIT faces pressure from weak housing starts and elevated mortgage rates.

HCA Healthcare received a target lift to $464.19 from $461.81, with the consensus holding at 16 Buy ratings against 9 holds.