Maxim Group cut its rating on Ralph Lauren (RL) on Thursday morning. Here’s what the move means for mutual fund investors.
Inside the Analyst Moves
Maxim Group lowered its rating on Ralph Lauren from “Buy” to “Hold” and has lowered its price target from $203 to $155. This new price target suggests a 12% decline from the stock’s current price. The analyst noted currency concerns as a primary factor in the downgrade.
Looking forward, the firm expects RL to report 2015 EPS of $8.04 (down from its previous estimate of $8.31). For 2016, the firm expects to see EPS of $9.23 (down from its previous estimate of $9.50).
Expensive Valuation
In the last year, shares of RL have been flat. With the stock trading at 21x 2015 earnings estimates, we view RL as expensive. Investors interested in RL should be aware that a downturn in the economy could hurt the company. Overall, we agree with the analyst call and believe that the timing makes sense.
Mutual Funds to Watch
Investors interested in RL may also be interested in the funds listed below. These funds currently have the largest stakes in the company.
| Symbol | Mutual Fund | Stake |
|---|---|---|
| VMCIX | Vanguard Mid Cap | 1.22% |
| VTSMX | Vanguard Total Stock Mkt Idx | 1.15% |
| VWNDX | Vanguard Windsor | 1.09% |
The Bottom Line
The funds above offer investors a diverse group of holdings. Investors interested in RL may also be interested in Hanesbrands (HBI) and PVH Corp. (PVH).