Analysts often change target stock prices based on company performance. Sometimes the change is important, sometimes less so. The bottom line is that the reason for the downgrade must stem from certain concerns.
Quarterly results provide investors with a sort of snapshot of the progress of publicly traded companies. While the headline numbers show what has already been accomplished, the outlooks that companies provide give investors a glimpse of possible future trends.
Analysts often issue new ratings and price targets within hours or days after earnings results are released. A change in rating can significantly affect a stock's price, giving investors an idea of what institutional investors consider fair value.
Let's take a look at three stocks that JPMorgan Chase lowered their target price:
McDonald's $MCD
McDonald's is known for its ability to beat expectations on sales from individual restaurants. Despite concerns about pricing and buying power, the company has typically managed to…