Investing

Credit Suisse Adds New Stocks in Multiple Sectors to Top Picks List

We have written before how practically all the major firms we cover have a list of top stock picks for their client base. One of the best things that a major investment bank and brokerage can do is to constantly monitor its list and make additions and deletions when warranted. In a research report just released, the equity team at Credit Suisse added 17 new names to their Top Picks list, while 20 stocks were shown the exit. Bear in mind that at many firms, just because a stock is removed from a list of top names, does not necessarily mean that the rating of Buy, Overweight or Outperform is removed.

We screened the 17 new additions, and picked one top stock to buy from each represented sector.

Alkermes PLC (NASDAQ: ALKS) is a top name in health care that many on Wall Street for years have thought to be an acquisition target. The company recently announced the initiation of the second Phase 2 study of ALKS 3831, a novel, oral, broad-spectrum antipsychotic medicine in development for schizophrenia. The randomized, double-blind, active-controlled study will assess ALKS 3831’s efficacy, safety and tolerability in treating schizophrenia in patients with co-occurring alcohol use disorder, compared to olanzapine, an approved and widely used atypical antipsychotic medicine. The Credit Suisse price target for the stock is $57. The Thomson/First Call estimate is at $50.92. Alkermes closed Wednesday at $47.28 a share.

BB&T Corp. (NYSE: BBT) is a top name added in the financial sector. The company is one of the largest financial services holding companies in the United States, with $184.7 billion in assets and market capitalization of $28.9 billion. It operates 1,824 financial centers in 12 states and Washington, D.C., and it offers a full range of consumer and commercial banking, securities brokerage, asset management, mortgage and insurance products and services. Investors are paid a respectable 2.5% dividend. Credit Suisse has a $46.50 target, and the consensus target is $41.56. BB&T closed Wednesday at $38.15.

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Dover Corp. (NYSE: DOV) is a top industrial name to be added to the list. The company manufactures and sells a range of specialized products and components, and it provides related consumables and services. The company operates in four segments: Communication Technologies, Energy, Engineered Systems, and Printing and Identification. Credit Suisse cites Dover’s ongoing commitment to pursue mergers and acquisitions as a force that will help drive significant inorganic earnings growth. Investors receive a 1.7% dividend. The Credit Suisse target is $95, while the consensus target is $97. Dover closed Wednesday at $86.81.

Duke Energy Corp. (NYSE: DUK) is a top utility added to the Credit Suisse list. The stock is one of the leading U.S. utility companies, given its stable earnings base, as a significant portion of the company’s earnings are derived from regulated operations. Also, the company has delivered a healthy financial performance in the past and remains an attractive option for income-seeking investors. Investors are paid an outstanding 4.42% dividend. The Credit Suisse price target for the stock is $79, and the consensus is lower at $77. Duke closed Wednesday at $71.01.

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Estee Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE: EL) is an new addition in consumer staples. One surprise to some investors could be Estee Lauder’s booming travel retail business. Rising air traffic is expected to boost sales in the travel retail segment in the upcoming quarters. The company has also witnessed a rise in online sales, which is impressive. Moreover, the company’s continuous product innovation helps it to maintain market share amid difficult conditions. Investors are paid a 1% dividend. The Credit Suisse price target is $82, while the consensus is in line at $82.60. The stock closed Wednesday at $76.46.

Macy’s Inc. (NYSE: M) is a top retail name added in the consumer discretionary sector. The company has closed inefficient stores over the past year and announced worker firings. Analysts at Wall Street firms applauded the great strides the company is making in improving their online sales ability. Investors are paid a 2.9% dividend. The Credit Suisse price target is $60, and the consensus is higher at $64. The stock closed Wednesday at $60.02.

SunCoke Energy Inc. (NYSE: SXC) rounds out some of the top new additions at Credit Suisse in the basic materials sector. The company is the largest independent producer of coke in the Americas, with 50 years of experience supplying coke to the integrated steel industry. Its advanced, heat-recovery cokemaking process produces high-quality coke for use in steelmaking, typically captures waste heat for derivative energy resale and meets or exceeds environmental standards. Credit Suisse has a $26 price target, and the consensus is at $24. The stock closed Wednesday at $20.29.

As Credit Suisse rotates new names in and older names out of its Top Picks list, it might not be a bad idea for investors to do the same with their own portfolios. Given the lofty level of the markets, a portfolio check-up could be in order. Take winners off the table and reset with names priced better, or ones that have better potential upside for the second half of the year.

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