Today's noteworthy initiations include: Allison Transmission (ALSN) initiated with a Buy at Stifel... Avago (AVGO) initiated with a Buy at Mizuho... Blackstone (BX) initiated with a Positive at Susquehanna... Cellectis (CLLS) initiated with an Outperform at Oppenheimer... Cypress Semiconductor (CY) initiated with a Buy at Mizuho... Esperion (ESPR) initiated with a Sell at Chardan... H&R Block (HRB) initiated with an Overweight at Piper Jaffray... Horizon Pharma (HZNP) initiated with an Outperform at Leerink... M/A-COM (MTSI) initiated with a Buy at Goldman... Meritor (MTOR) initiated with a Hold at Stifel... Micron (MU) initiated with a Buy at Mizuho... Monster Worldwide (MWW) initiated with a Neutral at Piper Jaffray... NXP Semiconductors (NXPI) initiated with a Buy at Mizuho... National Storage (NSA) initiated with a Sector Weight at KeyBanc... ON Semiconductor (ON) initiated with a Buy at Mizuho... Qorvo (QRVO) initiated with a Buy at Goldman... SanDisk (SNDK) initiated with a Neutral at Mizuho... Sharps Compliance (SMED) initiated with a Buy at Stifel... Skyworks (SWKS) initiated with a Buy at Mizuho... StemCells (STEM) initiated with a Buy at Cantor... Synaptics (SYNA) initiated with a Buy at Mizuho... Synergy Pharmaceuticals (SGYP) initiated with a Buy at Canaccord... Texas Instruments (TXN) initiated with a Neutral at Mizuho... TriNet (TNET) initiated with a Neutral at Piper Jaffray... Vascular Biogenics (VBLT) initiated with a Buy at Roth Capital... Verifone (PAY) initiated with an Outperform at Imperial Capital... uniQure (QURE) initiated with an Outperform at Oppenheimer.

Get caught up quickly on the top news and calls moving stocks with these five Top Five lists.  1... To see the rest of the story go to thefly.com. See Story Here

Argus analyst Stephen Biggar raised the firm's price target on Blackstone to $135 from $133 and keeps a Buy rating on the shares. The company's Q1 earnings beat benefited from growth in fee-related earnings, while its management has previously laid out a constructive case for a recovery in the commercial real estate market, noting values are bottoming, new construction has declined substantially, and the cost of capital has peaked, the analyst tells investors in a research note. Argus adds that stable to lower interest rates should also improve transaction activity.

TD Cowen analyst Joshua Buchalter raised the firm's price target on Texas Instruments to $175 from $160 and keeps a Hold rating on the shares. The firm said the print wasn't great but an important improvement and positive indicator on stability for the group. That said, numbers still need to move meaningfully higher to build medium-term valuation support or material buyback growth.

BofA raised the firm's price target on Texas Instruments (TXN) to $190 from $175 and keeps a Neutral rating on the shares. TI's small Q1 beat and inline but sequentially rising Q2 sales guidance, "while modest, potentially marks a recovery inflection in industrial chip demand," with positive read-across for U.S. peers such as Analog Devices (ADI), Microchip (MCHP), NXP Semiconductors (NXPI) and On Semiconductor (ON), the analyst tells investors. However, despite an expected recovery, TI's sustained high capex intensity could keep reported calendar year 2024-26 pro-forma EPS below $6 per share, the analyst added.

Check out this evening's top movers from around Wall Street, compiled by The Fly. HIGHER AFTER EARNINGSAudioEye (AEYE) up... To see the rest of the story go to thefly.com. See Story Here

Wells Fargo lowered the firm's price target on On Semiconductor (ON) to $95 from $110 and keeps an Overweight rating on the shares ahead of quarterly results. The firm anticipates On to deliver a Q2 guide slightly below expectations as it adjusts to Tesla-specific (TSLA) production softness specific to image sensor and SiC sales.

The company said, "The Board of Hipgnosis (HPGSF) notes the announcement by Blackstone Europe (BX), acting as sub- advisor to the Blackstone Funds and confirms that it yesterday received an improved proposal to acquire the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Hipgnosis on the terms set out in the Blackstone announcement. The Board, having reviewed the Proposal with its financial adviser, Singer Capital Markets, has indicated to Blackstone that the Proposal is at a value that it would be minded to recommend to its shareholders should Blackstone announce a firm intention to make an offer pursuant to Rule 2.7 of the Code on such financial terms." The statement comes following a Saturday announcement by Hipgnosis, which said, "Blackstone Europe LLP, acting as sub-advisor to the Blackstone Funds notes the recent speculation regarding Hipgnosis. Blackstone confirms that it has made a series of proposals regarding a possible offer for the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Hipgnosis. Blackstone furthermore notes Concord Chorus Limited's firm offer on 18 April 2024 to acquire the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Hipgnosis. Blackstone has made an improved fourth proposal to acquire the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Hipgnosis at a price of $1.24 per share in cash. Should Blackstone announce a firm intention to make an offer for Hipgnosis pursuant to Rule 2.7 of the Code under the terms of the Fourth Proposal, it is intended that such a Firm Offer would be effected by means of a takeover offer as defined in Chapter 3 of Part 28 of the Companies Act 2006. However, Blackstone would reserve the right, pursuant to its rights under the Code to implement any such Firm Offer by way of a scheme of arrangement under Part 26 of the Companies Act 2006 should a Firm Offer be announced." Reference Link