July 21, 2025 a 09:01 am
LH: Analysts Ratings - Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings
Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (LH) has recently seen a modest shift in analyst sentiment. The current market environment reflects a cautious optimism, with a predominance of 'Buy' ratings. However, the diminishing 'Strong Buy' ratings over recent months suggest a tempered enthusiasm among analysts. This pattern indicates a stable but cautiously optimistic outlook on the company's performance.
Historical Stock Grades
| Rating | Count | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Strong Buy | 3 | |
| Buy | 13 | |
| Hold | 4 | |
| Sell | 0 | |
| Strong Sell | 0 |
Sentiment Development
Upon reviewing the data over several months, there are notable changes in sentiment. Noteworthy is the gradual decrease in 'Strong Buy' recommendations from 6 to 3, indicating a cautious shift among analysts. In contrast, 'Hold' recommendations have shown variability, reflecting fluctuating confidence levels.
- The total number of ratings remained relatively stable, signaling consistent analyst engagement.
- The subtle increase in 'Hold' over recent months suggests analysts are more reserved in their outlook.
Percentage Trends
Analysis of the percentage trends over time reveals a notable shift from 'Strong Buy' to more conservative 'Buy' and 'Hold' choices. This trend reflects an increasing caution or a neutral perspective among analysts.
- Between July 2023 and July 2025, 'Strong Buy' ratings percentage decreased from 35% to 15%.
- 'Buy' ratings consistently form the majority, indicative of continued analyst faith in long-term performance.
- Increased 'Hold' ratings suggest a more wait-and-see approach.
- Key takeaway: Analysts exhibit more caution, perhaps due to macroeconomic factors or company-specific events.
Latest Analyst Recommendations
| Date | New Recommendation | Last Recommendation | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-06-25 | Equal Weight | Equal Weight | Barclays |
| 2025-06-11 | Overweight | Overweight | Morgan Stanley |
| 2025-05-12 | Buy | Buy | Truist Securities |
| 2025-05-06 | Neutral | Neutral | Piper Sandler |
| 2025-04-30 | Equal Weight | Equal Weight | Barclays |
Analyst Recommendations with Change of Opinion
| Date | New Recommendation | Last Recommendation | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-03-04 | Buy | Neutral | Citigroup |
| 2025-01-07 | Outperform | In Line | Evercore ISI Group |
| 2024-10-30 | Buy | Hold | HSBC |
| 2024-03-25 | Buy | Hold | Argus Research |
| 2022-12-12 | Neutral | Buy | Citigroup |
Interpretation
The current analyst ratings for Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings suggest a predominantly positive sentiment, albeit with increasing caution. The majority of analysts maintain a 'Buy' stance, but the drop in 'Strong Buy' positions indicates tempered enthusiasm. There seems to be no significant pessimism as reflected by the absence of 'Sell' and 'Strong Sell' ratings, implying sustained confidence in the company's market performance. The consistency of recent upgrades suggests periodic bolstered confidence. However, a cautious approach is evident as depicted by the stable 'Hold' ratings.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings is generally viewed favorably by analysts, caution is increasing with a declining number of 'Strong Buy' ratings. The company's ability to sustain a broad 'Buy' consensus points to underlying robust business fundamentals. However, the shift towards more 'Hold' ratings suggests awaiting clearer signals on future financial performance or broader market developments. Overall, the stock presents growth opportunities tempered by a need for strategic patience.