Utilities Swept Down as ADP, Walmart Win Street Favour

Analysts trimmed targets across the entire US utilities sector this week. Sempra, Duke Energy, FirstEnergy, American Electric Power, and Atmos Energy all saw consensus target prices cut. The moves were modest — Duke's average target slipped from $138.61 to $138.56 — but the breadth of the sector sweep is the story. Higher-for-longer rate fears remain a drag on regulated utilities.

Bucking the trend, Automatic Data Processing received a target price lift to $246.80, up from $246.33. The $92 billion payroll giant carries just 4.2% SI % FF. That combination of low short interest and rising analyst targets suggests limited near-term headwinds.

Walmart also drew an upgrade in consensus, with its average target nudging to $137.95. Analysts remain overwhelmingly bullish — 37 buys versus just four holds and four sells.

Medtronic saw its target trimmed to $98.58 from $99.54. Eighteen sell ratings dwarf the zero buy calls. The $105 billion medtech giant looks increasingly out of favour.

At Adobe, one analyst removed their recommendation entirely. The stock sits at 4.8% SI % FF. That quiet exit could signal growing uncertainty ahead of the next earnings cycle.

Alphabet was a bright spot. Its consensus target rose to $431.19. With 54 buy ratings and zero sells, the ad giant remains Wall Street's clearest mega-cap favourite.