BlueFin says its checks indicate that wafer fab equipment spending is poised to gain momentum for the rest of the year. Reporting that the positive trend is being driven by 3D NAND and 10nm, BlueFin now estimates that spending on the category could rise 2%-3% in 2016, up from its previous estimate of "flattish." BlueFin thinks that semi equipment stocks are also benefiting from positive trends in EUV adoption and increased requirements in process control. It identifies its favorite stocks in the sector, in order, as Lam Research (LRCX), Nanometrics (NANO), and Applied Materials (AMAT).

BofA analyst Vivek Arya raised the firm's price target on Lam Research to $1,000 from $970 and keeps a Buy rating on the shares. Lam "delivered a solid beat and raise" with growth expected to accelerate into the second half of the calendar year, says the firm, which adds that it is "beginning to see the green shoots of NAND recovery."

TD Cowen raised the firm's price target on Lam Research to $1,000 from $975 and keeps a Buy rating on the shares. The firm said NAND recovery is off to a good start with two consecutive quarters of 25-30% sequential growth and other vectors are also showing growth.

Susquehanna analyst Mehdi Hosseini lowered the firm's price target on Lam Research to $850 from $880 and keeps a Neutral rating on the shares. The firm said they posted a good print and guidance as its report and commentary were inline with Susquehanna's preview.

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Notable companies reporting after the market close, with earnings consensus, include Meta Plataforms (META), consensus $4.32... IBM (IBM), consensus $1.60... ServiceNow (NOW), consensus $3.14... Lam Research (LRCX), consensus $7.30... Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG), consensus $11.68... O'Reilly Automotive (ORLY), consensus $9.26... Ford Motor (F), consensus 42c... United Rentals (URI), consensus $8.32... Align Technology (ALGN), consensus $1.97... Molina Healthcare (MOH), consensus $5.59... Teradyne (TER), consensus 33c... Universa Health Services (UHS), consensus $3.16... Western Union (WU), consensus 41c.