Analysts’ Ratings
Published: Sunday, November 01, 1998
Adams, Harkness & Hill downgraded Weider Nutrition Intl. (WNI) to Attractive from Buy.
Sutro & Co. started Horizon Organic Holding (HCOW) at Buy.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter cut General Nutrition Cos. Inc. (GNCI) to Outperform from Strong Buy.
NationsBanc Montgomery Securities downgraded Worthington Foods (WFDS) to Hold from Buy.
First Call said the consensus recommendation on Celestial Seasonings Inc. (CTEA) was Buy, or 1.1 on a 5-point scale, with seven analysts covering. The rating is down from a prior rating of 1.3.
NationsBanc Montgomery Securities rated Rexall Sundown Inc. (RXSD) Buy in an October research brief. RXSD met 4Q98 consensus earnings estimates of $.28/share; exceeded sales forecasts by $1.5 million at $153.6 million in 4Q98 vs. 4Q97 sales of $88.6 million; improved gross margin by 40 basis points to 57.2%; and had a 20.6% operating margin, a record performance. NationsBanc maintains its FY99 earnings estimate of $1.28/share and says upside revisions are likely with a recent share repurchase and positive business momentum. Stock remains attractive at 13.7 times estimated calendar year 1999 earnings of $1.38/share, for potential 33% growth.
Raymond James cut NBTY Inc. (NBTY) to Accumulate from Buy.
Adams, Harkness & Hill cut Nature’s Sunshine (NATR) to Market Perform from Attractive.
Dain Rauscher started Whole Foods Market (WFMI) at Strong Buy.