KD Crosses Above Average Analyst Target

Photo of author

By Ronald Tech

In recent trading, shares of Kyndryl Holdings Inc (Symbol: KD) have crossed above the average analyst 12-month target price of $32.75, changing hands for $33.05/share. When a stock reaches the target an analyst has set, the analyst logically has two ways to react: downgrade on valuation, or, re-adjust their target price to a higher level. Analyst reaction may also depend on the fundamental business developments that may be responsible for driving the stock price higher — if things are looking up for the company, perhaps it is time for that target price to be raised.

There are 4 different analyst targets within the Zacks coverage universe contributing to that average for Kyndryl Holdings Inc, but the average is just that — a mathematical average. There are analysts with lower targets than the average, including one looking for a price of $30.00. And then on the other side of the spectrum one analyst has a target as high as $35.00. The standard deviation is $2.061.

But the whole reason to look at the average KD price target in the first place is to tap into a “wisdom of crowds” effort, putting together the contributions of all the individual minds who contributed to the ultimate number, as opposed to what just one particular expert believes. And so with KD crossing above that average target price of $32.75/share, investors in KD have been given a good signal to spend fresh time assessing the company and deciding for themselves: is $32.75 just one stop on the way to an even higher target, or has the valuation gotten stretched to the point where it is time to think about taking some chips off the table? Below is a table showing the current thinking of the analysts that cover Kyndryl Holdings Inc:

See also  Insights Into Magnificent 7 Earnings PerformanceMarket Disappointment and Precursors

The market reception of the recent earnings reports from Alphabet (GOOGL) and Tesla (TSLA) left much to be desired among investors. This reaction, particularly towards Alphabet's results, may serve as an ominous foreshadowing of what is to come this week as four other members of 'The Magnificent 7' gear up to report.

Alphabet vs. Tesla Performance

Despite Tesla missing consensus estimates and facing margin pressures, Alphabet managed to beat estimates with several positive outcomes, notably in search and cloud areas. However, the spotlight shifted to Alphabet's larger-than-anticipated capital expenditures, raising concerns about ongoing AI-focused capex and its eventual returns. The worries were accentuated by Alphabet's management highlighting the risk of underinvestment. In contrast, Tesla experienced a drop in Q2 earnings, while Alphabet marked a 28.6% increase year-over-year with a 15% rise in revenues.

Future Outlook for Mag 7

The impending reports from Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Amazon, and Apple are expected to reflect on capital expenditures, growth trends in cloud services, and market skepticism towards AI initiatives. Amazon faces scrutiny over decelerating cloud growth compared to its peers, while Apple's focus remains on evolving iPhone trends in the Chinese market.

Group Performance and Expectations

The 'Mag 7' stocks are projected to showcase a 26.8% surge in earnings and a 13.7% increase in revenues compared to the same period last year. This sector is a crucial driver of the broader Technology industry, which anticipates a 16.8% earnings uptick and 9.5% revenue growth for Q2.

Industry Sector Growth Analysis

The Technology sector, buoyed by an upswing in estimates for the Mag 7 stocks, has witnessed a positive trend in recent quarters. The upcoming earnings season, with a multitude of companies preparing to report results, including key players like McDonald’s, Proctor & Gamble, and Pfizer, is expected to provide further insights into sector performance.

Earnings Landscape Overview

With over 41% of S&P 500 members already having disclosed Q2 results, the overall earnings show a modest 0.6% increase year-over-year alongside a 4.9% rise in revenues. As the reporting cycle gains momentum, eyes are on the broader market to gauge earnings and revenue beats.

Insights Into Q2 Revenue Trends

Notably, the Q2 revenue beats percentage hit a historic low of 57.5% for the 207 index members, indicating a demanding quarter compared to the last two decades.

Earnings Big Picture Analysis

When considering the aggregate picture for Q2, S&P 500 earnings are predicted to grow by 6.9% year-over-year with a 5.2% increase in revenues. The promising revisions trend observed prior to the earnings season underscores a positive outlook for the quarter's financial performance.

Analysis of Index Level Aggregate Earnings GrowthThe Landscape of Aggregate Earnings Growth
Recent KD Analyst Ratings Breakdown
» Current 1 Month Ago 2 Month Ago 3 Month Ago
Strong buy ratings: 5 4 5 5
Buy ratings: 0 0 0 0
Hold ratings: 1 1 1 1
Sell ratings: 0 0 0 0
Strong sell ratings: 0 0 0 0
Average rating: 1.33 1.4 1.33 1.33

The average rating presented in the last row of the above table above is from 1 to 5 where 1 is Strong Buy and 5 is Strong Sell. This article used data provided by Zacks Investment Research via Quandl.com. Get the latest Zacks research report on KD — FREE.

10 ETFs With Most Upside To Analyst Targets »

Also see:

• Cheap Energy Shares
• AEGN shares outstanding history
• GUT Options Chain