3 Favorite Stock Picks for 2016 From Top Cowen Analysts
December 9, 2015 by Lee JacksonWith the 2015 trading year winding down fast, many of the top brokerage firms that we cover here at 24/7 Wall St. are releasing their top stock ideas for 2016. Given that the markets have had a very tepid year, with virtually no gains except for big momentum stocks, investors may want to take a look at the top ideas for 2016 and rotate some capital now.
In a new Cowen research report, three of the firm’s best analysts make their top picks for 2016. These best ideas not only have some outstanding upside potential, they also appear to have low valuations, which help lower some of the inherent downside risk should the market continue to stumble.
Chicago Bridge & Iron
This top company is down big since May and could be offering investors an outstanding entry point. Chicago Bridge & Iron Co. N.V. (NYSE: CBI) provides conceptual design, technology, engineering, procurement, fabrication, modularization, construction, commissioning, maintenance, program management and environmental services worldwide.
The company’s Engineering, Construction and Maintenance segment offers engineering, procurement and construction services for energy infrastructure facilities, as well as comprehensive and integrated maintenance services. Its projects include nuclear, fossil and renewable electric generating plants for the power industry, and upstream and downstream process facilities for the oil and gas industry.
The Cowen analysts note that the company is exiting the nuclear business with Westinghouse and feel that it can now deliver on what they feel is an outstanding operating cash flow potential. The analysts also see liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects, momentum on the petrochemical arena and perhaps a Mozambique LNG FID project coming next year. The net result could be a narrowing of the multiple gap with the company’s peers. Trading at a low 11.5 times estimated 2016 earnings, the stock is cheap.
Investors are paid a small 0.73% dividend. The Cowen price target for the stock is $59, and the Thomson/First Call consensus target is $56.53. The shares closed Tuesday at $38.79.
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