When it comes to making investment decisions, many investors turn to the recommendations of Wall Street analysts. But how reliable are these recommendations and should you use them to guide your investment strategy?
Currently, Energy Transfer LP (ET) has an average brokerage recommendation (ABR) of 1.25, which falls between Strong Buy and Buy on a scale of 1 to 5. Out of the 12 recommendations that make up the ABR, 10 are Strong Buy and one is Buy, making up 83.3% and 8.3% of all recommendations, respectively. While the ABR suggests buying ET, it’s important to note that research has shown brokerage recommendations have limited success in predicting a stock’s price potential.
The positive bias of brokerage analysts towards stocks they cover can skew recommendations, making them more favorable than warranted. For every “Strong Sell” recommendation, brokerage firms assign five “Strong Buy” recommendations. This misalignment of interests between brokerage firms and retail investors can limit the insight provided by these recommendations. It’s best to use this information as validation to your own analysis or to rely on tools that have proven effective at predicting stock price movements.
One such tool is the Zacks Rank, a quantitative model that categorizes stocks into five groups ranging from Strong Buy to Strong Sell. It utilizes earnings estimate revisions to gauge a stock’s price performance. While it may seem similar to the ABR, the Zacks Rank and ABR are different measures. The Zacks Rank provides a more balanced and timely assessment, as it focuses on earnings estimate revisions and correlations with stock price movements.
Looking specifically at Energy Transfer LP, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has increased 0.6% over the past month to $1.22. Analysts’ growing optimism, reflected in their agreement to revise EPS estimates higher, may indicate potential for the stock to perform well in the near future. Considering these factors, Energy Transfer LP currently holds a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
In conclusion, while the Buy-equivalent ABR for Energy Transfer LP may be a useful guide for investors, it’s important to approach brokerage recommendations with caution. Utilizing tools like the Zacks Rank, which focus on earnings estimate revisions, can provide a more balanced and accurate perspective when making investment decisions.
Conclusion: Should You Invest in ET?
Based on the positive earnings estimate revisions and the Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) for Energy Transfer LP, there may be potential for the stock to perform well in the near future. However, it’s crucial to conduct thorough research and analysis before making any investment decisions.
Additional Resources:
If you’re interested in exploring more investment opportunities, you can download a free report from Zacks Investment Research called “Oil Market on Fire.” This report highlights four unexpected oil and gas stocks that have the potential for significant gains in the coming weeks and months. Don’t miss out on these recommendations.
You can also access the complete list of Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks to further guide your investment strategy.
Remember, it’s always important to stay informed and make investment decisions based on comprehensive analysis and research.
SOURCES:
- Zacks.com: Energy Transfer LP Price Target & Stock Forecast
- Zacks.com: Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) Stocks
- Zacks.com: Oil Market on Fire – Free Report
- Zacks.com: 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days – Free Report
- Zacks.com: Energy Transfer LP (ET) – Free Stock Analysis Report
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
