The Pharma Stock in a Tailspin After Drug Trial Halt

By Andrea Kramer / October 20, 2017 / www.schaeffersresearch.com / Article Link

Analysts are weighing in on pharmaceutical stock Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ:CELG), medical device maker Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG), and electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA). Here's a quick roundup of today's bearish brokerage notes on shares of CELG, ISRG, and TSLA.

Celgene Halts Trial of Crohn's Disease Drug

Celgene stock is down 10.7% at $121.46 this morning, due to news the company will not continue clinical trials for its Crohn's disease treatment. Several analysts have already weighed in, with the equity getting downgraded to "neutral" at both Baird and Citigroup. Following the discontinuation of the Crohn's drug tests, the latter brokerage firm now considers Celgene a "show-me story." At least seven analysts cut their price targets on CELG stock, including to $136 from $162 at Baird.

Today's pullback puts CELG shares below their 200-day moving average for the first time since late May, but the stock could find support atop a trendline that's connected its higher lows since November. However, the security runs the risk of getting hit with additional bear notes from analysts, since 18 of 21 of those covering the stock say it's a "strong buy."

ISRG Stock Reverses Higher After Earnings

The shares of Intuitive Surgical are 2.3% higher at $366.78, erasing pre-market losses following the company's third-quarter earnings and upwardly revised 2018 operating costs forecast. The report has drawn mixed reviews from analysts. Wedbush was one of at least five brokerage firms to raise its price target on ISRG stock, setting its mark at $409, while no fewer than three others dropped their price target. Among them was Canaccord Genuity, which lowered its price target to $325 from $332.

ISRG stock just touched a record high of $367.50 on Oct. 6, and has added more than 57% in the past year. Still, it seems near-term options traders were prepared for a pullback, since Intuitive Surgical's Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio (SOIR) stands at a put-heavy 1.99 -- in the 77th percentile of its annual range.

Analysts Expect a 45% Drop for Tesla Stock

Tesla stock is down 1% at $348.40, after a price-target cut to $195 from $200 at J.P. Morgan Securities. The new target represents expected downside of almost 45% from TSLA stock's current price, and would mark a year-to-date low for the shares. The stock has rocketed more than 72% higher in the past year, but has run into a wall in the $390 region twice in 2017.

Despite the equity's long-term uptrend, most analysts are skeptical of Tesla stock. The shares boast just six "buy" or better endorsements, compared to 11 "hold" or worse ratings.

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