On Wednesday, Citi made a notable adjustment to its stock ratings, upgrading Hologic (NASDAQ:HOLX), a NASDAQ-listed company, from Neutral to Buy. Accompanying this upgrade, the firm also increased Hologic's price target to $95 from the previous $80. Citi's decision to revise its stance on Hologic comes with a positive outlook on the company's performance and potential.
In the healthcare sector, Citi also made changes to other stock ratings. Bio-Rad Laboratories (NYSE:BIO), known as BIO, was downgraded from Buy to Neutral, with its price target set at $365.
The downgrade reflects concerns over the company's Life Sciences segment, where visibility on revenue growth is considered limited due to the absence of clear catalysts. Citi also highlighted potential risks to Bio-Rad's second-half margin ramp, suggesting that the consensus may be overly optimistic about the company's gross margins.
Conversely, Hologic received a favorable review, with Citi citing the company's strong core performance. The firm believes that the market has overemphasized the potential impact of the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) guidelines, which could change.
Citi anticipates that any such change would be manageable in Hologic's forward-year estimates. Furthermore, Citi views Hologic's fiscal year 2024 guidance as conservative, noting it does not rely on a significant market recovery in the latter half of the year, setting it apart from other companies in the sector.
Additionally, Citi upgraded Steris plc (NYSE: NYSE:STE), referred to as SHC, to Buy/High Risk, with a price target of $16. The upgrade follows a decline in the company's stock multiple due to recent litigation news, which Citi believes may have exaggerated the near-term litigation risk.
According to the firm, no updates on the litigation are expected in fiscal year 2024, with no established timelines for cases in California, Illinois, and New Mexico, and the next update for cases in Georgia is anticipated in early fiscal year 2025.
InvestingPro Insights
Following Citi's upgrade of Hologic to Buy, a peek into the InvestingPro data and tips could provide investors with additional context. The company's market capitalization stands at a robust $17.86 billion, and while it trades at a high earnings multiple of 35.99, the adjusted P/E ratio for the last twelve months as of Q1 2024 is more moderate at 23.52. This suggests that investors are expecting growth, which aligns with the anticipation of net income growth this year.
Hologic's aggressive share buyback strategy and high shareholder yield are notable InvestingPro Tips that reinforce the positive sentiment expressed by Citi. The company's solid financial footing is further evidenced by its ability to cover interest payments with cash flows and its liquid assets surpassing short-term obligations. Although Hologic does not pay dividends, its low price volatility and the expectation of profitability this year could make it an attractive stock for investors seeking stability in the healthcare sector.
For those interested in delving deeper into Hologic's financial health and future prospects, InvestingPro offers additional insights. There are more InvestingPro Tips available for Hologic, which can be accessed through the dedicated page at Investing.com/pro/HOLX. To enhance your investment research with these expert tips, use the coupon code PRONEWS24 to get an extra 10% off a yearly or biyearly Pro and Pro+ subscription.
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