Analysts are getting increasingly bearish these stocks into earnings

Earnings season is underway, and some companies that are due to report earnings in the near future could post disappointing results, according to analysts’ predictions. As of Wednesday, around one in five S & P 500 companies have reported results so far, and their earnings and revenue have performed better than the same period a year ago, per FactSet data. Of those, more than 76% have beaten Wall Street’s expectations. That said, analysts have reduced their fourth-quarter earnings estimates for several names. With that in mind, CNBC Pro screened for those reporting next week where analysts have grown more bearish, based on the following criteria: EPS estimates revised down 5% or more in past three and six months Average price target revised down 5% or more in past three and six months S & P 500 member Here’s what showed up. Shares of Advanced Micro Devices are on pace to underperform the broader market in the first month of 2025, falling around 2% month to date. Its EPS estimates have been revised nearly 8% lower in the past three months and even more in the past six at 12%. Not only that, its average price target has been revised down more than 9% and more than 10% in the past three and six months, respectively, as well. The stock has come under pressure this week after developments from Chinese artificial intelligence startup DeepSeek sparked concerns on Monday over technology spending and the U.S.’s dominance in the space. Shares of the chipmaker fell more than 6% in that day’s session and fell almost 1% on Tuesday. AMD is still buy-rated, however, with 36 out of 51 analysts covering it on the Street having a strong buy or buy rating, according to LSEG data. It also has a consensus target of around $170, which implies more than 49% upside from Tuesday’s close. By contrast, shares of Ford Motor have risen 3.5% month to date, outperforming the S & P 500’s 2.5% gain in that period. That move higher comes after the company earlier this month posted its best annual U.S. new vehicle sales since 2019 . But analysts have still become more skeptical of Ford’s performance in recent months. Earnings estimates have fallen more than 18% in the past three months, and its target has been revised lower by more than 19% in that period. With that, it’s hold-rated, as 16 of the 26 analysts covering it have taken a neutral stance. Barclays is among them, seeing that the bank downgraded the automaker to equal weight from overweight last week and cut its price target to $11. That figure reflects upside of around 9% from Tuesday’s close. Notably, it cited multiple headwinds, such as elevated inventory levels, as reasons for the call and said that “2025 will see the non-repeat of inventory replenishment which benefited 2024.” Other names on the list include cosmetics company Estee Lauder and human and animal nutrition company Archer-Daniels-Midland . In the past three months, their EPS estimates have been revised lower by nearly 70% and almost 21%, respectively. Both names are off to a positive start this year. With the first month of 2025 drawing to a close, Estee Lauder has jumped more than 10%, while ADM has risen more than 2%.