Top Analyst Calls: Applied Materials, Nike, Qualcomm

Stock futures are trading higher as we approach the end of one of the most volatile weeks on Wall Street. After hitting record highs on Wednesday, markets retreated on Thursday afternoon. Against this backdrop, analysts have issued new calls for key stocks including Applied Materials (AMAT), Nike (NKE), and Qualcomm (QCOM).

Key Analyst Calls

• Applied Materials (AMAT): Price target raised from $200 to $220, rating "Buy".
• Nike (NKE): Price target lowered from $130 to $120, rating "Neutral".
• Qualcomm (QCOM): Price target raised from $180 to $195, rating "Buy".

Analyst Rationale

Analysts remain bullish on the semiconductor sector, citing strong demand for chips used in AI and communications. For Nike, analysts cite inflationary pressures and slowing consumer spending.

Context

These calls come amid heightened market volatility, with stocks influenced by monetary policy and inflation developments. Qualcomm shares rose 5% this week, while Nike fell 2%.

What to Make of It

The calls reflect a divergence in sector outlook: technology remains favored, while consumer cyclicals face headwinds. Investors should watch upcoming quarterly reports for actual performance.