Stocks Favored by Analysts: Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRZO), Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:SCMP), Argos Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:ARGS), Arrowhead Research Corporation (NASDAQ:ARWR)

Wall Street analysts are maintaining Buy rating on Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRZO) company shares.  The one year target on the name currently stands at $36.56.  The stock recently touched $21.41 and has moved in the range of $20.83 - 22.47 during the current session.  Based on a recent bid this places the stock +32.98% away from the 52-week floor of $16.10 and -62.29% away from the 52-week ceiling of $56.77.

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.

Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:SCMP) 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 $23.44 on the stock. The stock is currently trading -28.86% away from its 200-day moving average of $18.46. Based on a recent trade, shares of Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. are -55.75% away from the 52-week high of $29.67 and +25.41% away from the 52-week low of $10.47.

Analysts are estimating that the company will report earnings of $0.69 for the current year and $0.27 for next quarter. The stock closed the most recent trading session at $13.21.

Shares of Argos Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:ARGS) continue to be viewed favorably by equities brokerage firms on Wall Street.  The First Call consensus which is calculated by Thomson Reuters has a $15.8300 price target and Buy rating according to the covering analysts.  During today’s session the stock hit $4.4917 or +10.6330% from the previous close, while moving in the range of $4.2200 - 4.7000.

Shares of Arrowhead Research Corporation (NASDAQ:ARWR) continue to be viewed favorably by equities brokerage firms on Wall Street.  The First Call consensus which is calculated by Thomson Reuters has a $8.67 price target according to the covering analysts.  During today’s session the stock hit $3.97 or -1.26% from the previous close, while moving in the range of $3.87 - 4.10.  This puts the stock -58.12% away from the 52-week high of $9.36 and +27.69% away from the 52-week low of $3.07.

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.