Brokerage Analyst Buys: IPG Photonics Corporation (NASDAQ:IPGP), Landec Corporation (NASDAQ:LNDC), Ruth's Hospitality Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:RUTH), Aralez Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:ARLZ)

Wall Street analysts are maintaining Buy rating on IPG Photonics Corporation (NASDAQ:IPGP) company shares.  The one year target on the name currently stands at $100.44.  The stock recently touched $82.45 and has moved in the range of $N/A during the current session.  Based on a recent bid this places the stock +17.43% away from the 52-week floor of $70.21 and -19.55% away from the 52-week ceiling of $102.49.

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.

Landec Corporation (NASDAQ:LNDC) 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 $15.40 on the stock. The stock is currently trading -6.71% away from its 200-day moving average of $12.22. Based on a recent trade, shares of Landec Corporation are -24.80% away from the 52-week high of $15.16 and +9.83% away from the 52-week low of $10.38.

Analysts are estimating that the company will report earnings of $0.54 for the current year and $0.28 for next quarter. The stock closed the most recent trading session at $11.40.

Shares of Ruth's Hospitality Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:RUTH) continue to be viewed favorably by equities brokerage firms on Wall Street.  The First Call consensus which is calculated by Thomson Reuters has a $19.00 price target and Buy rating according to the covering analysts.  During today’s session the stock hit $16.91 or N/A from the previous close, while moving in the range of $N/A.

Shares of Aralez Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:ARLZ) continue to be viewed favorably by equities brokerage firms on Wall Street.  The First Call consensus which is calculated by Thomson Reuters has a $12.50 price target according to the covering analysts.  During today’s session the stock hit $5.94 or N/A from the previous close, while moving in the range of $N/A.  This puts the stock N/A away from the 52-week high of $N/A and N/A away from the 52-week low of $N/A.

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.