Analysts Split on REITs, Cyber, and Consumer Names

Analysts handed Equity Residential a downgrade this week. The residential REIT now carries a lower consensus rating as at least one firm pulled its buy. The $25.6bn company has short interest of just 3.4% of free float. But the analyst community appears cautious on apartment landlords.

Cybersecurity continues to attract bullish calls. CrowdStrike saw its consensus target price lift to $712. The $171bn firm now carries 42 buys versus just one sell. Short sellers have minimal exposure at under 3% of free float.

Oracle also got a target bump, with consensus rising to $255. The database giant holds 35 buy ratings and one sell.

Campbell's faced target cuts after a tough quarter. Consensus fell to $21.94 from $22.06. The food company carries unusually high short interest — 27.6% of free float — with a cost to borrow of 6%. That combination flags ongoing bearish pressure.

Ulta Beauty also saw its target trimmed to $626. The beauty retailer holds 19 sell ratings, dwarfing its 3 buys. The stock remains deeply out of favour with Wall Street.