Analysts raised price targets across several sectors on Friday, with utilities and industrials leading the upgrades.
Xcel Energy drew the sharpest attention. The consensus target rose to $92.00 from $91.17. The $52B utility has seen steady buying interest. Short interest sits at just 4.5% of free float. That suggests the bull case is broadly accepted.
Ares Management also picked up a target bump, moving to $142.47 from $141.71. The alternative asset manager has grown rapidly. 17 analysts hold a buy rating. Only 6 hold a neutral view. The $26B firm continues to attract institutional confidence.
AMETEK saw its consensus target climb to $256.79, up from $254.42. The industrial instruments maker has 14 buy ratings and zero sells. Short interest is negligible at 1.4% of free float. That is a clean bill of health from the Street.
On the negative side, Ford Motor took a target cut. The consensus slipped to $13.73 from $13.83. Tariff pressure on auto supply chains remains a headwind. Exxon Mobil also saw a modest target trim as oil price uncertainty lingers.
Alphabet had one recommendation removed, leaving the search giant with 58 buys and a target near $412.
ORTEX Market Intelligence content is generated by AI from a snapshot of ORTEX's proprietary data. Content is informational only and does not constitute investment advice.
