Williams Cos Inc’s Stock Surpasses Analyst Target: What’s Next?
In recent trading, shares of Williams Cos Inc/The (Symbol: WMB) rose above the average analyst 12-month target price of $56.47, currently trading at $56.60 per share. When a stock reaches an analyst’s target, the analyst typically has two options: downgrade their valuation or adjust the target to a higher level. Reactions may depend on the business developments contributing to the stock’s rise — a positive outlook may warrant an increase in the target price.
Within the Zacks coverage universe, 19 different analyst targets contribute to the average for Williams Cos Inc/The. It’s important to note that this average is a simple mathematical mean. Some analysts have lower targets, with one suggesting a price of $46.00, while another forecasts a high of $70.00. The standard deviation among the targets stands at $6.76, indicating varying levels of confidence in the stock’s future performance.
The reason investors look at the average price target is to leverage the “wisdom of the crowds” concept, pooling insights from various analysts instead of relying on one expert’s opinion. Now that WMB shares have crossed the average target of $56.47, investors face a key decision: is this just a temporary stop before reaching a higher target, or has the valuation stretched too far, prompting a need to consider selling some shares? Below is a summary of current analyst opinions on Williams Cos Inc/The:
| Recent WMB Analyst Ratings Breakdown | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| » | Current | 1 Month Ago | 2 Months Ago | 3 Months Ago |
| Strong buy ratings: | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 |
| Buy ratings: | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Hold ratings: | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 |
| Sell ratings: | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Strong sell ratings: | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Average rating: | 2.1 | 2.1 | 2.2 | 2.2 |
The average rating in the table ranges from 1 to 5, with 1 signifying Strong Buy and 5 indicating Strong Sell. Data in this article is sourced from Zacks Investment Research via Quandl.com. Access the latest Zacks research report on WMB for free.
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Additional Insights:
• Insider Buying
• BIO YTD Return
• WSBF Dividend History
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
