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Goldman Sachs Coverage of Affirm Holdings Inc

Goldman Sachs has a new analyst covering Affirm Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:AFRM) at Buy with a $42 price target.
AFRM is a leading provider of contemporary credit solutions for consumers, offering a variety of products for point-of-sale financing and daily expenditures.
AFRM’s sophisticated underwriting processes and consistent delivery of well-managed credit results are praised.
AFRM’s approach to short-duration receivables and transaction-level underwriting allows for individual assessment and underwriting of various types of consumer spending.
AFRM’s precise underwriting gives it a competitive edge, allowing it to penetrate the subprime/near-prime market segment.
The analysts anticipate this precision in underwriting will strengthen AFRM’s market position and facilitate its continued growth.

Raymond James Downgrades Penn Entertainment to Market Perform

Raymond James downgraded PENN Entertainment Inc (NASDAQ:PENN) to Market Perform following a 21% increase in share price since May 20.
The stock’s potential was initially limited to approximately $20/share due to ongoing discounts related to the interactive segment and the “penalty box” status.
The path to profitability in the digital realm for PENN remains ambiguous, and no substantial changes in strategy, such as a complete sale of the company, appear imminent.
Raymond James advises investors to capitalize on recent gains and seek more favorable risk-adjusted investment opportunities within the sector.
Caesars (NASDAQ:CZR) is highlighted as a preferred choice due to its more attractive investment profile.
The stock closed at $18.26, a gain of 5.58% from the prior day’s regular close.

Tesla Stock Coverage by Stifel

Stifel initiated coverage on Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) at Buy with a $265 price target.
The company is positioned for robust multi-year growth in 2025-27+.
Near-term sales are expected to boost with the revamped Model 3 and upcoming Model Y refresh.
The commencement of Model 2 production is expected to generate strong demand.
TSLA’s AI-based Full Self-Driving initiative could generate significant value through sales and licensing agreements.
Near-term risks include delivery levels, EV adoption headwinds, and the U.S. election.
Tesla’s stock closed at $196.37, a 4.81% gain from the prior day’s regular close.

Wolfe Research Upgrades Qiagen to Outperform

Wolfe Research upgraded Qiagen (NYSE:QGEN) to Outperform with a $50 price target.
The upgrade follows QGEN’s Corporate Management Day presentation on June 17th.
Wolfe Research is optimistic about QGEN’s potential to surpass competitors in the upcoming year.
The company’s portfolio is appealing due to high recurring revenue, medium-term growth catalysts, and strong market positions.
Despite positive indicators, QGEN’s stock is currently trading at less than 20x the next twelve months’ P/E ratio, a 5x discount compared to peers.
Wolfe Research revises its estimates for 2025 and beyond, indicating a stronger belief in QGEN’s growth and profitability trajectory.
The stock price offers a favorable entry point for investors.

Alphabet

Rosenblatt Downgrades Alphabet to Neutral

Alphabet downgraded to Neutral by Rosenblatt due to potential impact of AI on search functionality and emerging competition from Bing.
Shift in search ad revenue towards retail media networks, influenced by Amazon, is expected to accelerate.
Amazon’s aggressive foray into video advertising, including integration of ads on Prime Video and robust upfront sales strategy, could alter ad sales dynamics.
The research team highlights the possibility of heightened capital expenditure for AI due to competitive pressures.
Rosenblatt suggests a cautious stance on Alphabet until clearer outcomes emerge.
Alphabet closed the regular session at $182.15, a 1.76% decline from the prior day’s regular close.

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