The S&P 500 was expected to open flat on Friday, January 16, despite the S&P Oscillator moving further into overbought territory. This indicates a modest market gain, but it’s essential to look beyond the surface level, as there has been significant buying activity away from the tech sector. The week saw the S&P 500 slightly lower going into Friday’s session, but don’t be fooled by the seemingly dull market activity.<\/p>\n
Jefferies raised its price target for Nvidia to $275 from $250, maintaining its buy rating, and cited the company as “pretty cheap.” Additionally, Jefferies kept its buy rating and $500 price target on Broadcom, naming it as its top pick for 2026. Barclays also raised its price target for Marriott to $320 from $276, despite anticipating a “soft-ish 4Q” in the lodging sector. However, the analysts noted that the group’s stocks have moved in hopes of a stronger economy, with Marriott, American Express, and Booking forming a robust triad in the travel industry.<\/p>\n
Goldman Sachs delivered an exceptional quarter, prompting analysts to raise their price targets across the board. Wells Fargo and Keefe Bruyette increased their targets to $1,050 and $1,000, respectively. BlackRock also reported a strong quarter, leading to a surge in price target increases from Wall Street, with Barclays and Deutsche Bank raising their targets to $1,350 and $1,380, respectively. JPMorgan made a significant call by upgrading Honeywell from hold to buy, citing the stock’s discount relative to its sum-of-the-parts value and a “disconnect” in its asset value, particularly in the aerospace unit.<\/p>\n
Coterra Energy is exploring a potential combination with Devon Energy, a deal that could be one of the largest oil and gas transactions in years. The proposed tie-up is expected to have significant overlap and synergy potential, with the firm viewing the deal as modestly dilutive in 2026 but accretive in 2027, assuming an all-stock transaction with no premium.<\/p>\n
Colgate-Palmolive received a price target raise to $93 from JPMorgan, with the firm maintaining its buy rating and arguing that stocks exposed to beauty with a focus on innovative premium products should perform well. UBS also raised its price target to $93 from $90, keeping its buy rating and noting that consumer staples fundamentals could improve in 2026. Barclays raised its price target for Urban Outfitters to $102 from $98, remaining positive on the group in 2026, while the author bets on Target as the winner in retail.<\/p>\n