Analysts Generally Bullish On New Year's Eve: Here Are Some Trading Ideas For 2015

Wall Street analysts seem to be getting into the holiday spirit, as most of Wednesday’s ratings were positive. Several research firms issued their last ratings for 2014, and here are some trading ideas for you to consider for 2015.

Honeywell International

Honeywell International Inc. HON, a $78.5 billion market cap diversified technology and manufacturing company saw Jefferies reiterate a Buy rating, and boost its price target for the stock from $105 to $115, following a strong outlook for 2015.

Also bullish are JP Morgan and Stifel Nicolaus. The former issued an Overweight recommendation and a $105 price target on December 18, while the latter reiterated a Buy, accompanied by a $112 price target on December 16.

The stock currently trades barely above $100.

Southwestern Energy

Wall Street research firms also seem quite fond of Southwestern Energy Company SWN, a $9.5 billion market cap independent energy company engaged in natural gas and oil exploration, development and production. On the last day of the year, Imperial Capital reiterated its Outperform score for the stock, escorted by a $43 price target, which implies an upside of more than 50 percent from the current stock price of $27.25 per share.

A day earlier, Capital One Financial upgraded the equity from Equalweightto Overweight, and set a $41 price target.

Related Topic: Despite Oil Glut, Southwestern Energy To Boost Production

Methanex

Methanex Corporation MEOHfelt analysts’ bullishness as well. On Wednesday, Monness Crespi Hardt issued a Buy recommendation and a $64 price target. Earlier in December, TD Securities and UBS had issued Buy ratings, with $60 and $68 price targets, respectively.

The stock now trades around $46.40.

Esterline Technologies

Esterline Technologies Corporation ESL received the first rating since the end of the third quarter on the last day of the fourth quarter. Jefferies graded the stock as a Buy, with a $132 price target. This implies an 18 percent upside potential from the current price point of $111.19.

Esterline designs, manufactures and markets highly engineered products for the aerospace and defense industry, mainly in the United States and Europe. Its market cap barely surpasses $3.5 billion.

Cempra

Cempra, Inc. CEMP also made it to this list, as analysts at Stifel Nicolaus maintained a Buy rating, raising their price target for the stock (from $22.00 to $33.00) on a good risk/reward profile. According to the research firm’s estimates, the upside potential surpasses 35 percent.