Nike assumed at Buy, 'near-term challenges well understood': 4 big analyst picks

Investing.com — Here is your Pro Recap of the biggest analyst picks you may have missed since yesterday: Buy assumptions at Nike and Block, and upgrades at Crown Castle and Apellis Pharmaceuticals.

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Nike assumed with Buy at Goldman Sachs

Goldman Sachs assumed coverage on Nike (NYSE:NKE) with a Buy rating and a price target of $139.00 (from $136 prior), as reported in real-time on InvestingPro.

The analysts expect an upturn in Nike's earnings growth. This optimism stems from anticipated benefits from transitory cost recapture and improving inventory conditions in the market. The analysts also foresee a potential for higher revenue growth as Nike moves past difficult comparison periods and boosts its innovation and marketing engine in 2024.

Although the bank acknowledges near-term challenges, including increased competition, wholesale channel pressures, and diminishing impacts from specific growth factors (such as Jordan Brand, China market), it considers these to be already factored into Nike's attractive valuation.

The company is set to report its Q2/24 earnings on Dec 21.

Block assumed with Outperform rating

BMO Capital assumed coverage on Block (NYSE:SQ) with an Outperform rating and a price target of $84.00.

The analysts expect sustained gross profit growth in both the Cash App and Square Seller in the medium term. Additionally, the analysts predict a heightened focus on improving profit margins.

Despite acknowledging significant execution risk in achieving Block's targets for 2026, the analysts believe that the company has opportunities for immediate cost-saving measures that could positively influence market sentiment in the short term.

Two more upgrades

Wells Fargo upgraded Crown Castle International (NYSE:CCI) to Equal Weight from Underweight and raised its price target to $115.00 from $90.00.

BofA Securities upgraded Apellis Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:APLS) to Buy from Neutral and raised its price target to $85.00 from $52.00. As a result, shares gained more than 3% pre-market today.

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