An Analyst’s Dilemma

During recent trading, Curtiss-Wright Corp.’s shares (Symbol: CW) soared above the average analyst 12-month target price of $248.25, settling at $250.01/share. When a stock hits the target set by an analyst, it prompts a crucial decision: downgrade on valuation or adjust the target upwards. Analyst reactions hinge on fundamental business developments that may be propelling the stock price higher, signaling a potential need for a revised target price.

The Spectrum of Predictions

Within the Zacks coverage universe, 4 analysts offer varying targets for Curtiss-Wright Corp. The average target of $248.25 is a mathematical mean: one analyst predicts $228.00 while another is more optimistic at $260.00, showing a standard deviation of $14.103.

Wisdom of Crowds

Turning to the average CW price target serves as a measure of collective wisdom, aggregating insights from multiple analysts rather than relying solely on individual prognostications. With CW surpassing the $248.25/share average, investors are prompted to reevaluate the company’s prospects. Is $248.25 a milestone towards a loftier target, or does the valuation signal a time to consider profit-taking?

The last row of the table exhibits the average rating scale, ranging from 1 to 5, where 1 signifies ‘Strong Buy’ and 5 indicates ‘Strong Sell.’ The insights in this article derive from data by Zacks Investment Research through Quandl.com.

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The views and opinions conveyed here represent those of the author and may not necessarily align with those of Nasdaq, Inc.