Zinger Key Points
- Morgan Stanley boosts Urban Outfitters to Overweight, citing conservative 2023 earnings estimates and attractive valuation.
- Straton holds Bath & Body Works at Overweight, spotlighting realistic 2023 forecasts and potential for further market re-rating.
- Get the Real Story Behind Every Major Earnings Report
Morgan Stanley analyst Alex Straton recently changed his view on retail stocks, specifically specialty retailers. Here’s what investors need to know.
The URBN Takeaways: Straton said he is becoming increasingly bullish on Urban Outfitters, Inc URBN. He upgraded the stock to Overweight from Equal-Weight, and raised the price target to from $27 to $41.
Urban Outfitters’ 2023 earnings forecasts are conservative. Straton also noted its low relative valuation compared to peers, which skew the risk-reward scenario to the upside.
The CPRI Takeaways: Straton downgraded Capri Holdings Ltd CPRI to Equal-Weight from Overweight. He also lowered the price target from $55 to $40.
The potential for negative EPS revision risk in the near term overshadows a clear long-term valuation re-rating opportunity, Straton says.
The JWN Takeaways: Straton reiterated an Underweight rating, and a $16 price target for shares of Nordstrom Inc JWN.
The analyst said Nordstrom reflects risk across multiple variables, leading to more conviction in its underweight rating.
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The BBWI Takeaways: Straton reiterated an Underweight rating, and a $61 price target for shares of Bath & Body Works Inc BBWI.
According to Straton, Bath & Body stands out for its achievable 2023 earnings forecasts and its potential for further re-rating. The company also boasts a favorable ranking within the equity strategy team’s trade idea framework.
The LULU Takeaways: The analyst also reiterated an Underweight rating, and a $424 price target for shares of Lululemon Athletica LULU.
Similar to Bath & Body, Lululemon stands out for its conservative 2023 earnings forecasts and the possibility for further re-rating.
The Overall Take: Morgan Stanley’s U.S. equity strategists foresee a meaningful earnings recession in 2023, ahead of a sharp rebound in 2024.
The analyst recommends owning defensive stocks with operational efficiency and earnings stability.
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