Nasdaq News

A month has gone by since the last earnings report for Synchrony (SYF). Shares have lost about 7.9% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500.

In its fourth-quarter and full-year 2019 earnings release, financial-technology loan platform LendingClub (NYSE: LC) also announced that it would be acquiring another company. Wedbush analyst Henry Coffey deemed the move "amazing news" on LendingClub's conference call with analy

When we look back at our lives, even if we're still young, there are always things we wish we'd have known earlier. For example, I wish I'd gotten into the habit of exercising when I was young so that it would be less of a struggle now.

Stock investors have enjoyed one of the greatest bull runs in history. Since March 2009, when U.S. stocks hit bottom in the aftermath of the Global Financial Crisis, the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) -- a decent proxy for the performance of the U.S. stock market -- has gained

It looks like MGM Resorts (NYSE: MGM) is the last man standing in the bid to win a casino license in Osaka, Japan, after Genting Singapore (OTC: GIGNY) dropped out of the race. 

This article originally appeared on InHerSight.com, a website where women rate the female friendliness of their employers and get matched to companies that fit their needs.

There is no question that shopping can become an addiction, a serious problem that can put your financial house at risk. But did you know that saving money can also become an addiction? Whether we become addicted to spending or to saving appears to boil down to how our brains op

Bed Bath & Beyond's (NASDAQ: BBBY) stock has plunged more than 80% over the past five years as the retailer struggles to keep pace with the competition amid a major retail shake-up. Revenue and margins declined as its desperate promotions failed to bring back shoppers.

Nearly 1.8 million Americans were diagnosed with cancer last year. Around the world, the total was close to 17 million. It's not surprising, then, that more than 700 biopharmaceutical companies have experimental cancer drugs in late-stage development.

I'll admit that I have no idea which stock will deliver the biggest returns over the next 10 years. If I had to guess, it would probably be a stock that hardly anyone has heard of right now. After all, the unknown tiny stocks have the most room to run.

Ulta Beauty (NASDAQ: ULTA) made a splash in the crowded beauty retail scene when the company started in 1990 and has produced an enviable track record of same-store sales gains. The company went public in 2007 and has reported positive annual comps since fiscal 2003, which is a

Macy's (NYSE: M) has posted volatile results recently. Between 2015 and 2017, it suffered 11 consecutive quarterly declines in comparable store sales, causing profitability to tumble. It then returned to comp sales growth for seven quarters, with particularly strong results for

The average tax refund for the 2018 tax year was $2,925, according to the IRS. Assuming you're getting a similar refund for 2019, that's a big chunk of change that could be used to repay some debts, bulk up your emergency fund, or take a vacation with your loved ones. So if yo

It is difficult to ignore the lure of high yields. And that's precisely the reason why many investors fall for it, despite the risks involved. That doesn't mean that high-yield stocks should be completely avoided. However, it's important to know the risks involved and make an in

When can I visit Walt Disney's (NYSE: DIS) Disney World when it will be the least crowded?

Over the long run, the cannabis industry could provide a smorgasbord of growth for investors. Having already tripled global sales between 2014 and 2018, Wall Street has weighed in and expects worldwide weed sales to catapult by another 400% to 1,800% by 2030. The wide margin in

When my son was born, I was really excited to think about the wonderful life he had ahead of him. But in addition to all of the other new-parent tasks on my list, I also had to take care of a depressing task: making an estate plan.

Online auction site eBay (NASDAQ: EBAY) may have been first to the e-commerce scene, but it's been lapped -- in spades -- by behemoth Amazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN) in the meantime. eBay focused on small-time sellers listing individual items, but Amazon "won" by catering to mass mark

When it comes down to it, investors are focused on a single factor: a stock’s ability to deliver returns. As Wall Street observers gauge the strength of a particular investment opportunity, often, they will filter out the noise and instead, concentrate their attention on its long-term growth prospects. We are referring to whether or not a name can achieve sustainable growth over the long haul, handsomely rewarding investors in the years to come.

So, with this goal in mind, what’s the first step for investors ready to get down to business? It’s narrowing down the multitude of tickers traded in the public market to a select few that represent the pick of the bunch. To make it into this exclusive group, these names should not only have strong long-term growth narratives, but also the analyst community’s support.

Setting out on our own search, we used TipRanks’ Stock Screener tool to pinpoint 3 stocks that have earned “Strong Buy” consensus ratings from the analysts and boast substantial upside potential from current levels.

Let’s get started.

Selecta Biosciences (SELB)

Selecta Biosciences believes that its ImmTOR immune tolerance platform can help patients fight rare diseases. Currently, biologic drugs can trigger neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) that work against the therapy, but ImmTOR technology allows for immune tolerance of the therapy. With this biotech already having gained 107% over the last twelve months, investors want to know if there’s more fuel left in the tank.

According to Mizuho Securities analyst Difei Yang, the answer is yes. She highlights the COMPARE trial as being the driving force behind her bullish thesis. The Phase 2 clinical trial is evaluating its lead candidate, SEL-212, in patients with chronic refractory gout, specifically looking at its efficacy in resolving symptoms like flares and gouty arthritis. Based on earlier clinical data, a combined therapy of ImmTOR and pegadricase, the current uricase therapy approved by the FDA, was able to reduce the occurrence of gout flares. As a result, the data allowed SEL-212 to proceed to a head-to-head COMPARE trial, the enrollment of which was completed back in December.

Yang argues that the “encouraging” interim data increases the therapy’s likelihood of FDA approval. When looking at the big picture, she is optimistic about the platform as it may lead to a re-dosing of gene therapy. Additionally, she points out that the company was able to cut its financing overhang.

Given Yang’s high hopes for SELB, it makes sense that she stayed with the bulls. Not only did she maintain a Buy rating, but she also bumped up the price target from $4 to $7. This new target conveys her confidence in the biotech’s ability to climb 66% higher over the next year. (To watch Yang’s track record, click here)

What does the rest of the Street have to say? As it turns out, when it comes to SELB, other analysts are also on board. With 5 Buy ratings assigned in the last three months compared to no Holds or Sells, the word on the Street is that the stock is a Strong Buy. Not to mention the $8.67 average price target puts the potential twelve-month gain at 105%. (See Selecta stock analysis on TipRanks)

Ocular Therapeutix (OCUL)

This biopharma uses a hydrogel platform to develop innovative treatments for various eye diseases. While its DEXTENZA insert has received FDA approval for the treatment of inflammation and pain following ophthalmic surgery, analysts point to its development pipeline as being capable of driving further growth on top of its already posted 57% one-year rise.

On February 7, the company released data from the Phase 1 clinical trial for its OTX-TIC candidate at the Glaucoma 360 conference in San Francisco. The trial is studying the long acting travoprost intracameral implant’s ability to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with primary open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

The data readout was a major positive for the company, as the candidate was not only able to lower IOP levels very fast, but it also sustained these reduced levels for significant periods of time, 18 months in one case. Adding to the good news, OTX-TIC was found to be well tolerated and safe, with no serious adverse events reported. It should also be noted that OCUL has kicked off the third and fourth cohort enrollment for the Phase 1 trial, and it will continue to monitor the first two cohorts long-term.

This trial outcome has certainly impressed Wall Street analysts, namely Yi Chen of H.C. Wainwright. Thanks to the positive data announced so far, the five-star analyst argues that the candidate is more likely to receive approval from the FDA, increasing the pobability from 20% to 30%. To this end, Chen boosted the price target by $2 in addition to reiterating his Buy recommendation. At $8, the new target implies that shares could surge 42% over the next year. (To watch Chen’s track record, click here)

Like the H.C. Wainwright analyst, Piper Sandler’s Joseph Catanzaro believes that the data was promising enough to warrant a price target increase. Along with his Overweight rating, the four-star analyst lifted the price target from $5.50 to $7. (To watch Catanzaro’s track record, click here)

When looking at other analyst activity, it has been relatively quiet as only one other analyst has published a recent review. That being said, the call was also bullish, making the consensus rating a Strong Buy. Given the $7.33 average price target, a 30% twelve-month gain could be in the cards. (See Ocular Therapeutix stock analysis on TipRanks)

Lithia Motors (LAD)

Switching gears now, we move on to Lithia Motors, one of the largest car retailers in the U.S. While the name has taken some heat recently, several analysts still see more growth in store for the company, which has already posted a 46% twelve-month gain.

In 2019, Lithia became the broadest coast-to-coast car retail network after it expanded its reach to include 92% of the U.S. Currently, the company’s physical network is comprised of 189 stores located across the U.S., with 21 brands of vehicles being represented in California alone.

That being said, the auto retailer isn’t finished growing just yet. Last week, Lithia announced that it had acquired two Lexus stores in Sacramento and Roseville, California. According to statements from President and CEO Bryan DeBoer, these two locations could see revenue reach $160 million.

Craig-Hallum analyst Ryan Sigdahl doesn’t dispute the fact that the temporary pressure on margins caused him to assume a lower premium to comps. He does remind investors, though, that overall, the company’s most recent quarter was solid. During the quarter, Lithia Motors was able to generate “strong” 7% year-over-year same-store sales growth in a slowing SAAR environment as a result of strength in its used vehicle business. Additionally, the analyst argues that the reason its profits took a hit was its integration of recent acquisitions and its efforts to position itself for a “banner year of growth”.

In line with his optimistic approach, Sigdahl tells investors that the recent weakness presents an attractive entry-point. Along with his Buy rating, though, the analyst did reduce the price target from $200 to $170. However, the target still leaves room for a possible twelve-month gain of 31%. (To watch Sigdahl’s track record, click here)

Looking at the consensus breakdown, it appears that other Wall Street pros are on the same page. As 100% of the analysts that have issued a recent recommendation see the stock as a Buy, the message is clear: LAD is a Strong Buy. On top of this, the $168 average price target suggests 30% upside potential. (See Lithia Motors stock analysis on TipRanks)

GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK) and Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) are two big pharmaceutical companies that appear to be on different paths. Glaxo posted disappointing fourth-quarter results earlier this month and predicted a loss for the full year 2020. Lilly, on the other hand, wowed inve