Analysts Say Buy These Stocks: Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW), Inphi Corporation (NYSE:IPHI), Intrexon Corporation (NYSE:XON), Franklin Covey Company (NYSE:FC)

Wall Street analysts are maintaining Buy rating on Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW) company shares.  The one year target on the name currently stands at $83.22.  The stock recently touched $69.62 and has moved in the range of $68.50 - 69.66 during the current session.  Based on a recent bid this places the stock +11.18% away from the 52-week floor of $62.62 and -10.89% away from the 52-week ceiling of $78.13.

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.

Inphi Corporation (NYSE:IPHI) 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 $34.13 on the stock. The stock is currently trading +1.95% away from its 200-day moving average of $26.46. Based on a recent trade, shares of Inphi Corporation are -16.52% away from the 52-week high of $32.32 and +58.24% away from the 52-week low of $17.05.

Analysts are estimating that the company will report earnings of $1.25 for the current year and $0.29 for next quarter. The stock closed the most recent trading session at $27.03.

Shares of Intrexon Corporation (NYSE:XON) continue to be viewed favorably by equities brokerage firms on Wall Street.  The First Call consensus which is calculated by Thomson Reuters has a $51.00 price target and Buy rating according to the covering analysts.  During today’s session the stock hit $37.33 or +0.84% from the previous close, while moving in the range of $36.35 - 37.79.

Shares of Franklin Covey Company (NYSE:FC) continue to be viewed favorably by equities brokerage firms on Wall Street.  The First Call consensus which is calculated by Thomson Reuters has a $20.00 price target according to the covering analysts.  During today’s session the stock hit $17.29 or -1.45% from the previous close, while moving in the range of $17.04 - 17.37.  This puts the stock -18.59% away from the 52-week high of $20.93 and +23.75% away from the 52-week low of $13.77.

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.