Goldman Sachs put out a couple of interesting stock lists at the end of the first quarter.
One consists of companies for which Goldman has a 2022 earnings-per-share estimate that exceeds the consensus.
· No. 1 on the list is oil giant Chevron (CVX). Goldman’s EPS estimate was 83% higher than the consensus as of March 31.
· No. 2 is jet maker Boeing (BA), with Goldman’s estimate 80% higher than consensus.
· No. 3 is oil producer ConocoPhillips (COP), with Goldman’s estimate 79% higher than consensus.
· No. 4 is oil producer Occidental Petroleum (OXY), with Goldman’s estimate 75% higher than consensus.
· No. 5 is oil producer Hess (HES), with Goldman’s estimate 66% higher than consensus.
· No. 6 is oil producer Pioneer Natural Resources (PXD), with Goldman’s estimate 65% higher than consensus.
· No. 7 is oil producer APA (APA), with Goldman’s estimate 58% higher than consensus.
· No. 8 is Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH), with Goldman’s estimate 53% higher than consensus.
· No. 9 is oil producer Diamondback Energy (FANG), with Goldman’s estimate 52% higher than consensus.
· No. 10 is oil producer Devon Energy (DVN), with Goldman’s estimate 51% higher than consensus.
The dominance of oil companies on this roster likely stems from the sharp gains of oil prices in recent months. U.S. crude soared by one-third in the first quarter, ending March 31 at $100.28 a barrel.
The second Goldman list is made up of stocks with the greatest upside potential compared with the investment firm's target prices.
· No. 1 on this list is casino company Penn National Gaming (PENN), with 82% upside potential compared with Goldman’s target as of March 31.
· No. 2 is personal-care-products company Bath & Body Works (BBWI), with 78% upside potential compared with Goldman’s target.
· No. 3 is home security products company Fortune Brands Home & Security (FBHS), with 78% upside potential compared with Goldman’s target.
· No. 4 is casino titan Las Vegas Sands (LVS), with potential upside of 72% compared with Goldman’s target.
· No. 5 is business-software giant Salesforce.com (CRM), with potential upside of 70% compared with Goldman’s target.
· No. 6 is water-treatment company Pentair (PNR), with potential upside of 64% compared with Goldman’s target.
· No. 7 is home-appliance company Whirlpool (WHR), with potential upside of 62% compared with Goldman’s target.
· No. 8 is homebuilder D.R. Horton (DHI), with potential upside of 61% compared with Goldman’s target.
· No. 9 is jet maker Boeing, with upside potential of 60% compared with Goldman’s target.
· No. 10 is social media stalwart Meta Platforms (FB), with upside potential of 60% compared with Goldman’s target.
