Analysts Say Buy These Stocks: V.F. Corporation (NYSE:VFC), Philip Morris International Inc (NYSE:PM), Moelis & Company (NYSE:MC), YPF Sociedad Anonima (NYSE:YPF)

Wall Street analysts are maintaining Buy rating on V.F. Corporation (NYSE:VFC) company shares.  The one year target on the name currently stands at $68.52.  The stock recently touched $66.35 and has moved in the range of $65.72 - 66.71 during the current session.  Based on a recent bid this places the stock +27.08% away from the 52-week floor of $52.21 and -14.28% away from the 52-week ceiling of $77.40.

When stocks are given “Buy” ratings by analysts, the reasons or criteria for that recommendation can greatly vary.  Typically when a stock is given this label, analysts are expecting that the stock will outperform their peers, their sector or the market over a 6 to 12 month time frame. Several factors might include near-term catalysts, future earnings growth.  Many analysts only give a Buy recommendation when they expect that the stock will yield a return of at least 5-10% over the course of a year.  Since analyst criteria and recommendation terminology can differ, we can look at consensus numbers to get a feel of overall analyst sentiment.

Philip Morris International Inc (NYSE:PM) has been given a consensus Buy rating by analysts on Wall Street. According to Thomson Reuters' First Call, research brokers have a one year price target of $89.69 on the stock. The stock is currently trading +11.40% away from its 200-day moving average of $86.61. Based on a recent trade, shares of Philip Morris International Inc are -0.68% away from the 52-week high of $97.15 and +28.19% away from the 52-week low of $75.27.

Analysts are estimating that the company will report earnings of $4.35 for the current year and $1.17 for next quarter. The stock closed the most recent trading session at $96.84.

Shares of Moelis & Company (NYSE:MC) continue to be viewed favorably by equities brokerage firms on Wall Street.  The First Call consensus which is calculated by Thomson Reuters has a $30.80 price target and Buy rating according to the covering analysts.  During today’s session the stock hit $27.00 or +3.45% from the previous close, while moving in the range of $26.38 - 27.00.

Shares of YPF Sociedad Anonima (NYSE:YPF) continue to be viewed favorably by equities brokerage firms on Wall Street.  The First Call consensus which is calculated by Thomson Reuters has a $25.61 price target according to the covering analysts.  During today’s session the stock hit $17.48 or +0.23% from the previous close, while moving in the range of $17.21 - 17.71.  This puts the stock -45.25% away from the 52-week high of $32.00 and +38.28% away from the 52-week low of $12.67.

Exact definitions of a “Buy” rating can greatly vary depending on the equity research firm.  The consensus rating simply provides an average of those recommendations.  It's important to note that a “Buy” rating does not mean that every investor should acquire the stock. It is just a single factor among many that should be considered before making an investment decision.