If you are looking for fresh investing inspiration, look no further. Wedbush has just released the latest version of its Best Ideas List. The June report reveals the firm’s top stock picks right now- and includes the removal of two Outperform-rated names (see below). But first, let’s take a closer look now at why these five stocks make such compelling investing propositions right now…
1. Microsoft (MSFT)
Top-rated Wedbush analyst Daniel Ives has just reiterated his MSFT Buy rating with a $155 price target. From current levels that indicates 18% upside potential. “In our opinion Microsoft remains in an enviable position heading into the rest of 2019 and 2020 on the heels of its cloud success and is firing on all cylinders around its Office 365 and Azure strategic vision based on our recent checks” explains the analyst.
The shift to cloud is a major secular trend that is significantly benefiting MSFT, says Ives. He believes Microsoft is perfectly positioned to get more complex workloads (e.g., AI, machine learning, etc.) as more enterprises take the leap to a hybrid cloud architecture over the coming years. “While AWS remains the leader in cloud, we believe MSFT is starting to clearly “close the gap” the analyst tells investors. Indeed, roughly 32% of workloads are in the cloud today, and this figure is poised to hit a whopping 55% by 2022.
2. Activision Blizzard (ATVI)
Wedbush isn’t the only firm signaling their confidence in ATVI right now. One of the world’s biggest video game companies, ATVI also has the thumbs up from Goldman Sachs’ Mike Ng. The Goldman Sachs analyst upgraded Activision from Hold to Buy on May 28. And he also elevated ATVI to Goldman’s ‘Conviction Buy’ list of top stock ideas.
According to Ng, the company “is on the cusp of an earnings inflection” as well as an engagement inflection. “Specifically, ‘Overwatch’ engagement is likely to improve following the introduction of Storm Rising (PvE), Workshop mode, and Havana,” the analyst told investors. “‘Hearthstone’ likely will benefit from Rise of Shadows (expansion) and The Dalaran Heist (solo story mode), while ‘World of Warcraft’ should benefit from Classic and Rise of Azshara.” These create the potential for earnings upside said the analyst.
He has a $54 price target on the stock (20% upside potential). In comparison, Wedbush analyst Michael Pachter has a slightly more bullish $56 price target, for 24% upside potential. See what other Top Analysts are saying about ATVI.
3. Fidelity National Info (FIS)
Mergers are shaking up the payments processing industry, and one key stock to keep your eye on is Fidelity National. FIS provides international financial services technology and outsourcing services. Wedbush analyst Moshe Katri added FIS to the firm’s Best Ideas List back in late March 2019. Since that date shares are up 10%.
Katri made the move after FIS agreed to buy Worldpay (WP) for $35 billion in cash and stock. “The combined company will be positioned to offer best-in-class enterprise banking, payments, capital markets, and global e-commerce capabilities empowering merchants worldwide,” the analyst commented. In short we are looking at a tech and payments powerhouse, with significant synergy potential. Katri has a $140 price target on shares (16% upside potential) calling FIS ‘significantly undervalued’ compared to peers.
A similarly upbeat perspective comes from Jefferies’ Michael Del Grosso. “The consolidated entity will have global scale in both merchant processing and issuer processing,” Del Grosso said. “We believe the deal’s rationale is predominantly driven by continuing to drive scale in the industry.”
4. Tempur Sealy International (TPX)
Tempur Sealy International describes itself as the world’s largest bedding provider. The Kentucky-based company has enjoyed a terrific rally year-to-date, with prices up 65%. And according to Wedbush’s Seth Basham this is still a stock worth buying into. He has just reiterated his Outperform rating with a $74 price target.
Memorial Day weekend bricks and mortar mattress sales checks with retailers and industry contacts were favorable, noted Basham. Encouragingly, retailers called out strength in Tempur-Sealy products, with special mention of the new high-end Tempur Breeze helping to boost average selling prices (ASPs).
“The favorable sales trends came despite a modest pullback in promotions across the industry. We believe TPX sales and margin trends are on track for 2Q19, with more upside than downside risk” the analyst wrote. See what other Top Analysts are saying about TPX.
5. Electronic Arts (EA)
Another gaming stock also crops up on the Best Ideas List- Electronic Arts. On May 17, the firm’s Michael Pachter promoted EA to best idea status with a $122 price target (32% upside potential).
“We expect EA to deliver material upside to its FY:20 guidance for net bookings and EPS, driven by Apex Legends and a game lineup this year that appears outstanding” explained Pachter. That includes the upcoming adventure game, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.
The analyst added: “We expect a string of near-term catalysts, including updates on Apex MAUs, game reveals at the E3 Expo in June, greater detail on the market expansion potential for services like Google Stadia, and continuing growth of EA’s sports business.” With the E3 Expo currently underway in LA, now is the time for these catalysts to begin materializing.
See what other Top Analysts are saying about EA.
And it’s goodbye to:
Two stocks are slashed from the list. “We are removing DIN and OBSV from the Best Ideas List” writes the firm. Dine Brands Global (DIN) operates franchised and corporate owned full-service restaurants including Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar and International House of Pancakes.
“While we maintain our OUTPERFORM rating, we are removing DIN from the Wedbush Best Ideas List given the less attractive risk/reward profile at current levels” explains the firm. Indeed, year-to-date DIN is trading up 39%. That’s not to say there isn’t hope ahead. “We continue to view DIN’s primarily franchised model as underappreciated and believe the current discount to franchised peers… could narrow over the next 6 to 12 months.”
As for Swiss biotech Obseva (OBSV), the firm simply writes “We are removing OBSV from the Best Ideas List due to our investment price discipline.” Shares have plunged 20% year-to-date for the company, which focuses on reproductive health and pregnancy.
Discover stock ideas from the Street’s best performing analysts here
