Analyst Moves for December 9: What They Mean for Mutual Fund Investors (VZ, COP, SLB)

On Tuesday morning, there were several big-name analyst moves that were announced. Below are the most important analyst moves for mutual fund investors.

Two Firms Downgrade Verizon

• Robert Baird cut its rating on Verizon (VZ) from “Outperform” to “Neutral” due to increased competition.

• Credit Suisse has lowered its price target on VZ to $51, which is a 7% increase from the stock’s current price. The firm also lowered estimates due to VZ’s increased competition.

Mutual Funds to Watch

The funds below currently hold the largest stakes in Verizon. These funds could be a good alternative to owning the stock directly.

Two Firms Lower Price Target on ConocoPhillips

• Credit Suisse has lowered its price target on ConocoPhillips (COP) to $62, which would suggest a 4% drop from the stock’s current price. Analysts have also cut estimates on COP as the company is now deferring spending on some of its shale properties.

• Jefferies has also reduced its price target on COP from $86 to $78, suggesting a 19% upside from the stock’s current price. The price target cut was due to the oversupply of oil.

Mutual Funds to Watch

The mutual funds below are currently the largest mutual fund owners of COP. These funds could be a good alternative to owning the individual stock.

Jefferies Downgrades Schlumberger

Jefferies has downgraded Schlumberger (SLB) to “Hold” due to lower oil prices. The firm has also lowered the company’s price target from$119 to $90. This new price target suggests a 7% increase from the stock’s current price.

Mutual Funds to Watch

For investors seeking exposure to SLB without purchasing the stock, a mutual fund from the list below may be a good alternative. The funds below currently have the largest stakes in SLB.