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UTZ

Analysts have provided 11 recent ratings for Utz Brands (NYSE:UTZ), with an average price target of $16.18, down from $18.78. The ratings include 1 bullish, 7 somewhat bullish, and 3 indifferent. Notable analysts from firms like Piper Sandler, RBC Capital, and Goldman Sachs have adjusted their price targets and ratings, reflecting a mix of raised and lowered expectations. Utz Brands has shown a revenue growth rate of 2.49% as of September 30, 2023, a net margin of 4.3%, but a lower ROE of 2.29% and ROA of 0.57%, with a high debt-to-equity ratio of 1.42.

Portfolio Pulse from Benzinga Insights

December 18, 2023 | 9:01 pm

NIO

RIVN

SPY

TSLA

XPEV

Senator Joe Manchin has called for a Congressional vote to reverse the Treasury Department's guidance on electric vehicle tax credits. Manchin believes the current guidance is too lenient and allows for unintended beneficiaries, potentially impacting U.S. EV manufacturers and importers.

Portfolio Pulse from Benzinga Newsdesk

December 18, 2023 | 8:48 pm

CEG

Constellation Energy (NYSE:CEG) has seen a 5.56% increase in short interest since the last report, with 5.87 million shares sold short, representing 2.09% of available shares. It would take about 4.04 days to cover all short positions. While an increase in short interest can indicate bearish sentiment, it does not necessarily predict a near-term price drop. Compared to its peers, CEG has less short interest, with the peer group average at 2.33% of float.

Portfolio Pulse from Benzinga Insights

December 18, 2023 | 8:45 pm

GSAT

SIRI

SPCE

UFO

The Pentagon is increasing its investment in space capabilities in response to China's growing space threat, with a $33.3 billion space budget for fiscal year 2024, a 15% increase YOY. This investment is crucial for US defense and the functioning of the military, as well as the global economy and daily life. ProcureAM's Space ETF (UFO) and its top holdings, including Sirius XM Holdings (SIRI), Globalstar Inc (GSAT), and Virgin Galactic Holdings Inc (SPCE), are likely to benefit from this increased spending.

Portfolio Pulse from Johnny Rice

December 18, 2023 | 8:45 pm

CSIQ

ENPH

FSLR

NOVA

RUN

SEDG

SPWR

TAN

Goldman Sachs downgraded SunPower Corp (SPWR) to Sell with a price target of $4 due to doubts about its ability to continue operations, causing its shares to drop 35%. Despite this, Goldman Sachs remains positive on the solar sector, upgrading Sunnova Energy (NOVA) to Buy and Canadian Solar (CSIQ) to Neutral. Enphase Energy (ENPH) retains a Buy rating with a significant upside potential, while SolarEdge Technologies (SEDG) was downgraded to Sell. Sunrun (RUN) and First Solar (FSLR) maintained their Buy ratings, but their shares fell. The Invesco Solar ETF (TAN) is down around 35% this year.

Portfolio Pulse from Neil Dennis

December 18, 2023 | 8:33 pm

LUV

Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV) has received mixed analyst ratings in the last quarter, with 0 bullish, 3 somewhat bullish, 5 indifferent, 1 somewhat bearish, and 0 bearish. The average 12-month price target from 9 analysts is $29.33, down from the previous $32.11, indicating a negative sentiment shift. Analysts from firms like Citigroup, Raymond James, and Morgan Stanley have adjusted their price targets and ratings, reflecting changes in market conditions and company performance. Despite the mixed ratings, Southwest Airlines has shown strong financial indicators such as a 4.9% revenue growth rate, a net margin of 2.96%, an ROE of 1.77%, an ROA of 0.53%, and a low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.84.

Portfolio Pulse from Benzinga Insights

December 18, 2023 | 8:00 pm

AZO

AutoZone (NYSE:AZO) has seen a decrease in short interest, with the short percent of float falling 6.67% since the last report. The company has 476 thousand shares sold short, which is 3.08% of available shares for trading. The current short interest is lower than the peer group average of 13.55%. While a decline in short interest can indicate a more bullish sentiment, it does not necessarily predict a near-term rise in stock price.

Portfolio Pulse from Benzinga Insights

December 18, 2023 | 7:45 pm

KVUE

Kenvue (NYSE:KVUE) has seen an 11.46% rise in short interest since the last report, with 19.65% of its float shorted, representing 39.04 million shares. The short interest is higher than the peer group average of 6.09%. While high short interest can indicate bearish sentiment, it can also be a bullish sign as it may lead to a short squeeze if the stock price increases.

Portfolio Pulse from Benzinga Insights

December 18, 2023 | 7:30 pm

BIL

EWJ

EWU

HYG

IEF

IVV

JPM

SPY

TLT

USHY

UUP

VOO

JPMorgan Chase & Co (NYSE:JPM) predicts the S&P 500 will test the 5,000 level in 2024, recommending overweight positions in U.S. and Japanese equities, U.S. Treasury, and high-yield corporate debt. They suggest underweight positions in European equity and Emerging Markets (ex-China). JPMorgan expects U.S. equities to see broadened performance beyond tech, with an earnings growth estimate of 7% into the next year. They also see potential in Japanese stocks due to corporate governance reforms. In fixed-income, they recommend U.S. Treasuries and high-yield corporate debt, anticipating rate cuts in 2024. The US dollar is expected to weaken, and cash returns are set to fall.

Portfolio Pulse from Surbhi Jain

December 18, 2023 | 7:28 pm

WIX

Wix.com has received court approval for a repurchase program, allowing the company to buy back up to $300 million of its ordinary shares and/or convertible notes until July 30, 2024, according to an SEC filing.

Portfolio Pulse from Benzinga Newsdesk

December 18, 2023 | 7:25 pm