PepsiCo, Hormel, Neurocrine, Exelon, Aurora: Trending by Analysts

Analysts are intrested in these 5 stocks: ( (PEP) ), ( (HRL) ), ( (NBIX) ), ( (EXC) ) and ( (AUR) ). Here is a breakdown of their recent ratings and the rationale behind them.

PepsiCo has recently seen a shift in analyst sentiment, with Bryan Spillane downgrading the stock from Buy to Neutral. The price objective has been adjusted to $155 from a previous $185, reflecting concerns over the slower growth in Frito-Lay North America. Despite international segments contributing to sales and profit growth, they are not enough to offset the domestic challenges. The company faces hurdles such as pricey snacks and market share losses in the beverage sector. However, PepsiCo’s strong international margins and prudent management have helped maintain earnings resilience.

Hormel Foods has received an upgrade from analyst Peter Galbo, moving from Underperform to Neutral. The price objective has been set at $35, up from $29, driven by improved fundamentals in the Jennie-O Turkey segment and a cost-saving program named “Transformation & Modernization.” The core pork business is performing well, benefiting from strong protein demand and stable input costs. However, challenges remain with the Planters acquisition and potential strategic shifts with a new CEO on the horizon.

Neurocrine Biosciences has been upgraded to Buy by analyst Ami Fadia, with a new price target of $138. The upgrade follows positive feedback on Crenessity’s growth in treating congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Despite concerns over Ingrezza’s performance, the company is expected to meet its 2025 guidance. Neurocrine is poised for medium-term value creation through its pipeline, including muscarinic and major depressive disorder assets, positioning it for growth.

Exelon has been downgraded to Hold by analyst Durgesh Chopra, with a revised target price of $48. The stock has closed its valuation gap and now trades at a small discount. Exelon, an electric transmission and distribution utility, lacks the generation investment upside seen in vertically integrated companies. With limited near-term upside compared to peers, the stock is now rated In Line, reflecting its average growth profile.

Aurora Innovation has caught the attention of analyst Chris Pierce, who initiated coverage with a Buy rating and a $10 target. Aurora is a leader in autonomous mobility, leveraging its Aurora Driver platform to tap into the $1 trillion autonomous trucking market. The company is poised for durable growth by expanding routes and scaling its fleet of trucks equipped with the Aurora Driver. Partnerships with OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers are expected to drive the growth of autonomous miles traveled.