As previously reported, BofA/Merrill Generac to Underperform to Neutral and lowered its price target to $35 from $39. Analyst Ross Gilardi believes Generac 2017-18 consensus margin expectations are too bullish due to negative mix implications and potential margin pressure. The analyst said the Pramac acquisition diversified Generac into lower margin, more cyclical Commercial & industrial businesses and notes International EBITDA margin fell 1000bp year-over-year to 4.8%. Further, Gilardi believes Generac's stated 3.5% penetration of home standby may be overstating the opportunity.

Roth MKM analyst Chip Moore raised the firm's price target on Generac to $135 from $120 and keeps a Neutral rating on the shares ahead of its Q1 results. The company's core trends are improving heading into the print, though the firm will also look for better visibility on the commercial and industrial demand and the clean energy portfolio to get more constructive, the analyst tells investors in a research note. Roth MKM adds that it is positive on Generac's strategy and potential, though it still finds risk/reward on the stock as "balanced at current levels".