At the beginning of this year, we gave our readers an overview of the top stock picks for the year from various firms around Wall Street. After a tremendous run in the stock markets, we were interested to see what the top names to buy at major firms were as the first-quarter earnings parade starts to wind down.
One firm that is keeping a bullish bias is Raymond James Financial Inc. (NYSE: RJF). Chief equity strategist Jeffrey Saut was an unwavering bull and stuck to his guns, while many other firms started calling for major corrections in March and early April. We looked through the “Analysts Favorite Picks” for top stocks to buy in multiple sectors.
Health Care: UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE: UNH) operates as a diversified health and well-being company in the United States. The Raymond James price objective is $70. The Thomson/First Call estimate is also $70. Investors are paid a 1.40% dividend.
Energy: Anadarko Petroleum Corp. (NYSE: APC) tops the list at Raymond James and other top Wall Street firms. Anadarko late Monday reported first-quarter earnings of $1.08 a share, compared with analysts’ estimates of $0.93. First-quarter production came in higher than expected, thanks to a 9% on-quarter production increase at Wattenberg fields and a 5% increase from East Texas assets. The Raymond James target is $105, but the consensus estimate is at $104.
Energy/oil-field services: Ocean Rig UDW Inc. (NASDAQ: ORIG) is the stock to buy. This ultra-deepwater driller may be poised for a big breakout as earnings are expected to jump dramatically next year. The Raymond James price objective is $20. The consensus actually is higher at $21.
Consumer/hardline retail: The Fresh Market Inc. (NASDAQ: TFM) has sold off hard since its high last August and may be a compelling stock to buy at these levels. Raymond James has a $50 target, while the consensus estimate is at $48.50.
Consumer/leisure: Harley-Davidson Inc. (NYSE: HOG), the iconic American motorcycle company, is a top stock to buy. The Raymond James target price is $62. Consensus estimates are at $62.50. Investors receive a 1.50% dividend.
Technology: Jabil Circuit Inc. (NYSE: JBL) is a leader in electronic manufacturing services. This is another stock that may be way oversold. Raymond James has a $24 target. The consensus estimate is the same, and investors receive a 1.80% dividend.
Transportation: Kansas City Southern (NYSE: KSU) operates north/south rail routes between Kansas City, Mo., and various ports along the Gulf of Mexico in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas in the Midwest and southeast regions of the United States. The Raymond James target price is $123. The consensus is much lower at $106.
Financial services/capital markets: MarketAxess Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: MKTX) delivered a profit, beat Wall Street’s expectations, and topped revenue expectations. Providing a competitive electronic platform for institutional fixed income trading has sent revenues soaring. The Raymond James target is $47. The consensus target for the stock is lower at $41. Investors receive a 1.20% dividend.
Real estate/REITs: Digital Realty Trust Inc. (NYSE: DLR) is a favorite of Jim Cramer. Through its controlling interest in Digital Realty Trust L.P., the company engages in the ownership, acquisition, development, redevelopment and management of technology-related real estate. Raymond James has a $78 price target. The consensus is lower at $72. Investors are paid a solid 4.60% dividend.
Investors would have done well by following Raymond James bullish bias when others were turning negative. The top picks at the firm are all names that are increasing earnings and giving positive forward guidance. That is often a winning combination for stock picking.
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