Where Are Analysts Most Optimistic on Ratings for S&P 500 Companies for Q2 2019?

With the end of the second quarter approaching, where are analysts most optimistic and pessimistic in terms of their ratings on stocks in the S&P 500? How have their views changed over the past few months?

Overall, there are 10,456 ratings on stocks in the S&P 500. Of these 10,456 ratings, 52.9% are Buy ratings, 41.0% are Hold ratings, and 6.1% are Sell ratings.

At the sector level, analysts are most optimistic on the Energy (64%), Health Care (60%), and Communication Services (60%) sectors, as these three sectors have the highest percentages of Buy ratings. It is interesting to note that the Energy sector is projected to report the largest earnings decline (-9.8%) of all 11 sectors in CY 2019 and the largest earnings growth (29.3%) of all 11 sectors in CY 2020.

On the other hand, analysts are most pessimistic about the Consumer Staples (39%), Utilities (43%), and Real Estate (44%) sectors, as these three sectors have the lowest percentages of Buy ratings. The Real Estate sector also has the highest percentage of Hold ratings (50%), while the Consumer Staples sector also has the highest percentage of Sell ratings (12%).

At the company level, the 10 stocks in the S&P 500 (with a minimum of three analysts submitting ratings) with the highest percentages of Buy ratings and the highest percentages of Sell ratings are listed on the next page.

Compared to the end of the first quarter (March 31), there has been little change in the overall breakdown of Buy, Hold, and Sell ratings. The percentage of Buy ratings has decreased to 52.9 from 53.2% since March 31. The Energy sector has seen the largest percentage-point decline in Buy ratings (to 64% from 67%) during this time. The percentage of Hold ratings has increased to 41.0% from 40.7% since March 31. The Energy sector has seen the largest percentage-point increase in Hold ratings (to 32% from 30%) during this time The percentage of Sell ratings is unchanged since March 31 at 6.1%. The Consumer Staples sector has seen the largest percentage-point increase in Sell ratings (to 12% from 11%) during this time, while the Communication Services has seen the largest percentage-point decrease in Sell ratings (to 5% from 6%) during this time.

Highest Buy Ratings % in S&P 500*: Top 10 (Source: FactSet)

            * Minimum of 3 analysts contributing ratings

Highest Sell Ratings % in S&P 500*: Top 10 (Source: FactSet)

            * Minimum of 3 analysts contributing ratings