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FINWIRES

Sector Update: Consumer

-- Consumer stocks were lower Friday afternoon, with the State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) falling 1.3% and the State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) decreasing 0.2%.

In corporate news, Tesla (TSLA) Chief Executive Elon Musk's xAI has filed a lawsuit against the State of Colorado regarding a new AI bill aimed at protecting consumers from "algorithmic discrimination," according to court filings. Tesla shares were down 0.6%.

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Research

Research Alert: CFRA Keeps Strong Buy Opinion On Shares Of Baker Hughes

CFRA, an independent research provider, has providedwith the following research alert. Analysts at CFRA have summarized their opinion as follows:We raise our 12-month target price by $14 to $82, reflecting a combination of our sum-of-the-parts (SOTP) and DCF models. For our SOTP model, we presume the oilfield services business (about 50% of BKR's franchise) to be valued at about 10x projected 2027 EBITDA (in line with major peers) and its industrial energy technology business (the other 50%) valued at 14x projected 2027 EBITDA (in line with the peer median). This blended approach, yielding a 12x multiple, implies a value of $73 per share. Meanwhile, our DCF model, using medium-term free cash flow growth of 5% per year, terminal growth of 2.5%, discounted at a WACC of 6.3%, yields intrinsic value of $91 per share. We cut our 2026 EPS estimate by $0.47 to $2.48, but we raise 2027's by $0.07 to $3.24. We acknowledge that the oilfield services business is likely to struggle in 2026 owing to the U.S.-Iran conflict, but the IET business appears quite robust and likely to be a source of both accelerating revenue growth and margins.

$BKR
Research

Research Alert: CFRA Maintains Hold Opinion In Shares Of Wab

CFRA, an independent research provider, has providedwith the following research alert. Analysts at CFRA have summarized their opinion as follows:We lift our 12-month target to $285 from $275 following WAB's Q1 earnings print, valuing shares at 24.2x our 2027 EPS outlook of $11.76 (revised from $11.46; 2026 EPS estimate up to $10.57 from $10.50), a slight premium to WAB's long-term historical multiple average given structural improvements in earnings quality. While we are cautious on signs of overcapacity in the freight market, an elevated order backlog (12-month sits at over $9 billion), internal initiatives to shore up margins, and potential synergies from M&A activity positions WAB to continue growing earnings at double-digit rates in 2026-2027, in our view. Despite tariff-related cost pressures, WAB has done a commendable job of defending margins via a mix of pricing, lean manufacturing, and pruning of lower-profit operations. Q1 results were mixed but overall positive, in our view. We maintain our Hold recommendation on shares.

$WAB
Research

Research Alert: CFRA Keeps Buy Opinion On Shares Of Centerpoint Energy, Inc.

CFRA, an independent research provider, has providedwith the following research alert. Analysts at CFRA have summarized their opinion as follows:We raise our 12-month target by $1 to $47, 24.1x our next-12-month EPS estimate, a premium to CNP's five-year average of 19.7x. Our 2026 EPS view is unchanged at $1.91, and we initiate our 2027 EPS view at $2.08. EPS guidance was maintained during Q1 earnings, and the $65.5B 10-year capital investment plan was reaffirmed. Notably, this was the first quarter in nearly two years without an increase to the 10-year capital plan. However, management is evaluating over $10B in incremental opportunities and expects to provide updates following a transmission planning refresh in 2H 2026. The company sees 11% or higher rate base growth potential through 2030, which we think would be among the fastest in the multi-utilities sub-industry. In the longer term, we look favorably on CNP's 7%-9% adjusted EPS CAGR target through 2035, with expectations of reaching the 8%-9% mark from 2026-2028, both of which would likely lead most peer utilities, in our view.

$CNP