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Wall Street Strategist Says to Buy Value Now: 5 Top Picks
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While a strong dollar is nice for those looking to travel to Europe, it’s not so great for companies looking to sell goods and services abroad, and for numerous reasons the U.S. dollar has strengthened dramatically over the summer and now into the fall. Plus, with interest rates headed higher, many of the momentum stocks that have led the markets over the past five years could start to crack.
In a new and comprehensive Jefferies report, equity strategist Steven DeSanctis continues to prefer value stocks over growth as the group is showing solid earnings growth and breadth. He also prefers companies with the bulk of their sales in the United States, citing the stronger dollar and better domestic earnings growth.
Some 26 stocks have made the cut this month, and all are Buy rated. Here we focus on five of the larger companies.
Centene
This company has a bias to Medicaid and is a solid play for investors Centene Corp. (NYSE: CNC) operates local health plans and offers a range of health insurance solutions. It also contracts with other healthcare and commercial organizations to provide specialty services including behavioral health management, care management software, correctional healthcare services, dental benefits management, in-home health services, life and health management, managed vision, pharmacy benefits management, specialty pharmacy and telehealth services.
The company is known best for operating in the Medicaid managed care and specialty services markets. The Medicaid business provides health insurance sponsored by the state and federal government for qualified lower income individuals, children and their families through programs such as Medicaid, State Children Health Insurance Programs (SCHIP), foster care and the Aged Blind and Disabled (ABD) programs.
The Jefferies price target for the stock is $150, and the Wall Street consensus target is $152.83. The stock traded early Wednesday at $142.85 a share.
Comerica
This smaller large-cap bank often is off the Wall Street radar, but it may provide a very compelling investment idea. Comerica Inc. (NYSE: CMA) is a financial services company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and strategically aligned by three business segments: business bank, retail bank and wealth management. It operates branches in Arizona, California, Florida, Michigan and Texas, as well as in Canada and Mexico.
Top analysts are confident the company can deliver on its efficiency initiatives and is trying hard to maximize shareholder return. While some have lowered the firm’s net interest income estimates, that should be offset by lower provisions for loss. A rise in interest rates would certainly be a tailwind.
Shareholders are paid a 2.6% dividend. Jefferies has a price objective of $105, which is in line with the Wall Street expectations of $105.67. The shares traded at $93.60 on Wednesday.
Kohl’s
This top retailer has been on fire and just posted solid quarterly numbers. Kohl’s Corp. (NYSE: KSS) operates department stores in the United States that offer private label, exclusive and national brand apparel, footwear, accessories, beauty and home products to children, men and women customers. The company also sells its products online at Kohls.com and through mobile devices.
While retail chains have suffered from internet pressure, Kohl’s has held its own as consumers see the company as a solid discount retailer. In addition, Amazon is growing its partnership with the department store chain. Last summer, the two companies announced that Kohl’s would begin selling Amazon devices, such as the Echo and Fire tablets, at 10 of its stores. Kohl’s also will be accepting Amazon.com returns at certain U.S. locations.
The company posted earnings and sales numbers that beat estimates on Tuesday, and it also raised forward guidance. It may have been a buy the rumor, sell the news situation as the stock was sold off. This may provide investors with a better entry point.
Kohl’s investors are paid a 3.07% dividend. The stunning $115 Jefferies price target is well above the $82.06 consensus estimate. The stock was trading at $79.70 a share.
SVB Financial
This boutique financial services firm may be off many investors’ radar screens. SVB Financial Group (NASDAQ: SIVB) is a financial holding company that serves companies in the technology, life science, venture capital, private equity and premium wine industries, offering diversified financial services such as commercial, investment, international and private banking. Headquartered in Santa Clara, California, the company operates through offices in the United States and international operations in China, India, Israel and the United Kingdom.
Top analysts across Wall Street feel that the growth opportunity ahead of the bank is arguably even better relative to the past 10 to 15 years. With technology continuing to help drive the U.S. economy, this is a smart angle to play that continued growth.
Jefferies has set its price target at a whopping $378. The consensus target is $358.74, and the stock was last seen at $320.85.
24/7 Wall St.Tyson Foods
This is the ultimate consumer staples type play for worried investors. Tyson Foods Inc. (NYSE: TSN) operates as a food company worldwide. The company raises and processes chickens into fresh, frozen and value-added chicken products. It also processes live fed cattle and live market hogs, and it fabricates dressed beef and pork carcasses into primal and subprimal meat cuts, as well as case-ready beef and pork and fully-cooked meats. And through subsidiary Cobb-Vantress, the company is engaged in supplying poultry breeding stock across the world.
The company offers its products primarily under the Tyson, Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farm, Sara Lee, Ball Park, Wright, Aidells, and State Fair brands. It produces a range of fresh, frozen and refrigerated food products that are marketed and sold by its sales staff to grocery retailers, grocery wholesalers, meat distributors, warehouse club stores and military commissaries, among others.
Tyson investors are paid a 1.9% dividend. The Jefferies price target is $75. The consensus target is $71.13, and the stock traded at $62.35.
It is almost a sure bet that the Federal Reserve raises rates next week, and the Treasury market is factoring the increase in. Now may be a good time to shift from growth to value to anticipate a continued rise in rates.
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