Ardent Health price target lowered to $23 from $24 at Leerink

Leerink lowered the firm’s price target on Ardent Health (ARDT) to $23 from $24 and keeps an Outperform rating on the shares. The firm believes Q2 results brought forth many consistent themes anchored to above average demand, solid rate, disciplined cost controls and advancement of the OP agenda. Ardent continues to perform well against targets, carries lots of growth and margin gains and continues to under-earn its potential. Management strikes a confident tone around the development pipeline, has lots of capacity to grow inorganically and has outpaced the sector on admit growth, Leerink adds.