A.O. Smith price target raised to $81 from $78 at Stifel

Stifel raised the firm’s price target on A.O. Smith (AOS) to $81 from $78 and keeps a Buy rating on the shares. Management team meetings and commentary as well as the firm’s channel checks indicate “solid, stable demand” and the firm expects this to lead to many companies being comfortable enough to raise guidance on Q2 earnings calls, the analyst tells investors in a preview for the Diversified Industrials group.