As previously reported, Morgan Stanley analyst Craig Hettenbach downgraded Sensata (ST) to Underweight from Equal Weight as he thinks a recent slowing across its end markets, particularly autos, which make up 60% of sales, increase the risk of a miss in Q4. He notes that the stock has held up much better in the last few weeks than other semi companies - such as Texas Instruments (TXN), ON Semiconductor (ON) and Cypress Semiconductor (CY) - facing similar risks, which leads Hettenbach to think Sensata is more susceptible to any disappointment. While the key driver of his downgrade is cyclical concerns, the analyst also noted that he is keeping an eye on the increased traction that TE Connectivity (TEL) and Amphenol (APH) are seeing in sensors. Hettenbach lowered his price target on Sensata shares to $47 from $55.

In April, the Company purchased the remaining authorized amount of common stock under the existing three-year, $2B stock repurchase plan. On April 23, the company's board of directors approved a new three-year, $2B open market stock repurchase plan.

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.

Sees Q3 revenue $4B, consensus $4.11B. The company said, "For the third quarter of fiscal 2024, the company expects net sales of approximately $4.0 billion. GAAP EPS from continuing operations are expected to be approximately $1.71, up 2% year over year, with adjusted EPS of approximately $1.85, up 5% year over year. Third quarter guidance includes a $0.15 year-over-year headwind from tax and currency exchange rates."

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

Bullish option flow detected in Amphenol with 7,956 calls trading, 8x expected, and implied vol increasing over 3 points to 32.37%. May-24 125 calls and May-24 115 calls are the most active options, with total volume in those strikes near 6,000 contracts. The Put/Call Ratio is 0.20. Earnings are expected on April 24th.

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.