Investing

Deutsche Bank's Top Stocks to Buy Now for This Quarter and 2015

After a 14-year secular bear market that finally ended when the S&P 500 broke solidly above the 1,600 level in the summer of last year, prompting a move to record highs, many investors have the same question: What do we do now? It is a very good question, considering the lows in the S&P 500 in March of 2009 were in the 660 level and we now trade at 1,935 on the index.

In a new research report, the Equity Insights team at Deutsche Bank sees solid growth going forward, with the S&P trading right around 17 times earnings through 2016. The analysts also suggest investors focus on sectors like technology, health care, financials and selected industrials, while avoiding areas like utilities and consumer discretionary.

We screened the top stocks to buy now for the companies with the highest upside to the Deutsche Bank price target. They all share a market cap in excess of $10 billion, price-to-earnings ratios under 20 and 2015 earnings growth per share of at least 5%.

Biogen Idec Inc. (NASDAQ: BIIB) is one of top stocks to buy at Deutsche Bank and on Wall Street, where many predict that its Tysabri earnings will have a meaningful jump this year and beyond. Wall Street analysts applauded the release of data on a monoclonal antibody called BIIB033, which is safe and tolerable in people, according to the combined results of two Phase 1 clinical trials that tested high doses in healthy people and those with multiple sclerosis.

Biogen has a distinct advantage over many biotechs as the company has no near-term patent expirations to deal with. The Deutsche Bank price target for the biotech giant is $430. The Thomson/First Call consensus target is much lower at $376.76. The stock closed Tuesday at $315.92.

ALSO READ: Top 5 Internet Stocks to Buy That May Beat Upcoming Earnings

Cisco Systems Inc.‘s (NASDAQ: CSCO) dominance in wireless equipment and its undisputed 800-pound gorilla status in the industry makes the company an attractive stock to buy now. Earnings for the second quarter were solid, but after the big numbers in May, some Wall Street analysts were disappointed with the August results. Many firms on Wall Street, including Deutsche Bank, feel that the stock is providing investors a good entry point, despite the fact that some corporate restructuring lies ahead.

The Deutsche Bank team also views the integration F5 networks services into Cisco’s products as a plus for both companies and a leg-up with NSX integration. Investors are paid a 3% dividend. The Deutsche Bank price target is $30, and the consensus is lower at $26.31. The stock closed Tuesday at $24.63.

Gilead Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ: GILD) is another leading biotech that makes the Deutsche Bank list of top stocks to buy now. The company crushed second-quarter earnings, as its leading drug Sovaldi continues massive sales. During the quarter, Sovaldi delivered product sales of $3.48 billion, exceeding average analysts’ estimates of $2.92 billion. Many analysts on Wall Street see a huge catalyst in an approval for Harvoni, Gilead’s new hepatitis C drug, which could come as early as this month. The drug will be priced above Sovaldi at $84,000 for a 12-week therapy. Approval in the European Union in December is also anticipated.

Gilead trades at just 8.8 times 2016 earnings, versus the company’s peers, which trade at 16.2 times, and the consensus earnings numbers for the company show a stunning 55% compound annual growth rate. The Deutsche Bank price target is $142, and consensus target is $112.43. Gilead closed Tuesday at $104.29 a share.

Hewlett-Packard Co. (NYSE: HPQ) is trading at a very low nine times 2014 estimated earnings and made big news with the announcement will split the company in two, a course other major Wall Street firms have used successfully. HP has had a remarkable comeback under the leadership of Silicon Valley veteran Meg Whitman, and by splitting the iconic tech giant into an enterprise company selling servers, networking and storage, and a PC and printer maker in a separate outfit, investors may be very well served.

HP investors receive a 1.8% dividend. The Deutsche Bank price objective for the stock is $40, and the consensus target is $39.49. Shares closed trading on Tuesday at $35.22.

ALSO READ: 8 Stocks That Analysts Think Will Double

Micron Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MU) continues to confound Wall Street with a string of impressive earnings reports. The company, which is a leader in DRAM chip sales, is one of the top Wall Street technology picks. The company looks to benefit from Apple Watch and iPhone memory chip sales to Apple. The Apple Watch memory is expected to be the smaller 512 megabit DRAM and 4 gigabit and 8 gigabit NAND variety, which could include other vendors, but it still means more sales. The iPhone 6 has already proven to be a blockbuster product, which should bode well for Micron.

The Deutsche bank price target is $40. The consensus target is very close at $40.17. Shares of the stock closed at $31.86.

T. Rowe Price Group Inc. (NASDAQ: TROW) is a top money management firm with a host of successful mutual fund offerings. The company has a very good product base and is widely used in corporate 401(k) plans. Continued gains in the equity market, even if they are slow but sure, should increase assets and help to drive earnings.

Investors are paid a solid 2.3% dividend. The Deutsche Bank price target is $90, and the consensus is posted at $89.59. Shares ended trading on Tuesday at $76.39.

United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) is a top industrial stock on the Deutsche Bank list. The stock is down almost 15% from highs made this summer before starting to bounce back in early August. Shares have since rolled over again and are offering long-term investors an enviable entry price. The company provides high technology products and services to aerospace industries and building systems worldwide. Its segments are UTC Climate, Otis, Controls & Security, UTC Aerospace Systems, Pratt & Whitney and Sikorsky.

Investors receive a 2.3% dividend. The Deutsche Bank target price is $130, and the consensus objective is $124.94. United Technologies closed Tuesday at $101.42.

ALSO READ: 5 Top Chip Stocks That Could Surge in the Fourth Quarter

Deutsche Bank has selected sectors that many on Wall Street agree should be the strongest going forward. The focus on large cap stocks with solid earnings growth makes sense for long-term growth investors that are reasonably risk tolerant.

Take This Retirement Quiz To Get Matched With An Advisor Now (Sponsored)

Are you ready for retirement? Planning for retirement can be overwhelming, that’s why it could be a good idea to speak to a fiduciary financial advisor about your goals today.

Start by taking this retirement quiz right here from SmartAsset that will match you with up to 3 financial advisors that serve your area and beyond in 5 minutes. Smart Asset is now matching over 50,000 people a month.

Click here now to get started.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.