Selected Stock Price Target News of the Week — April 2, 2026

By: Michael Muchugia

Analyst price target news this week was driven by Nike (NKE) and nCino (NCNO) earnings. Conagra Brands (CAG) also reported. Margin pressure outweighed its return to organic sales growth and drove fresh target cuts.

Nike Posts Q3 Beat But Weak Guidance Triggers Broad Analyst Downgrades

Wholesale Recovery and Tariff Headwinds

Nike reported fiscal third-quarter 2026 results on March 31, after the bell. Revenue came in at $11.28 billion, above the $11.24 billion consensus estimate. EPS of $0.35 beat the $0.31 analyst consensus.

North America revenue grew 3%, driven by an 11% increase in wholesale. Nike Direct declined 5% in the region. NIKE Digital fell 9% globally. Wholesale grew 1% overall.

Gross margin contracted 130 basis points to 40.2%. Higher tariffs in North America contributed 300 basis points of pressure. Nike took a $230 million severance charge. The move targets fixed costs in supply chain, technology, and Converse.

CEO Elliott Hill cited ongoing progress in the company’s turnaround. “The work is not finished, but the direction is clear,” Hill said. CFO Matthew Friend said Nike expects to exceed prior-year revenue in the second quarter of fiscal 2027. Margins are expected to improve from that point forward.

For fiscal Q4 2026, Nike guided revenue of $10.66 billion to $10.88 billion. That range fell roughly 5% below the $11.24 billion Street estimate. Nike expects Greater China sales to decline about 20% in Q4. The Q4 guidance — not the Q3 beat — drove the selloff.

Running was a standout category. Sales rose more than 20% in the quarter. Nike MIND footwear sold out and prompted increased production. The company’s soccer lineup for the 2026 World Cup launched the Tiempo franchise in Q3. Further product reveals are planned for June.

On Running, Hoka, and New Balance have captured measurable market share among younger consumers, per a CNBC report on April 1. Nike has historically dominated that demographic.

Analysts Adjust Nike Price Targets Following Earnings

Matthew Boss of JPMorgan downgraded NKE to Neutral from Overweight and lowered his price target to $52 from $86. He cited a longer recovery timeline and lowered his fiscal 2027 EPS estimate to $1.63, or 28% below consensus. Boss also pushed back his 10% operating margin forecast to fiscal 2029 from fiscal 2028.

Meanwhile, Brooke Roach of Goldman Sachs moved NKE to Neutral from Buy and cut her price target to $52 from $76. She noted that EMEA and China remain under particular pressure. Macro headwinds are extending the recovery timeline.

Additionally, Lorraine Hutchinson of BofA Securities stepped NKE down to Neutral from Buy and trimmed her price target to $55 from $73. She lowered her fiscal 2027 and 2028 EPS estimates. Management’s guidance pushed a return to revenue growth beyond the first quarter of fiscal 2027.

In contrast, Randal Konik of Jefferies kept a Buy rating and cut his price target to $90 from $110.

Adrienne Yih of Barclays maintained an Overweight rating and lowered her price target to $67 from $73.

Similarly, Piral Dadhania of RBC Capital reiterated an Outperform rating and trimmed his price target to $70 from $78.

Jonathan Komp of Robert W. Baird held an Outperform rating and cut his price target to $70 from $85.

Anna Andreeva of Piper Sandler maintained her rating and lowered her price target to $60 from $75.

Simon Siegel of Guggenheim kept a Buy rating and reduced his price target to $74 from $77.

Michael Binetti of Evercore ISI held an In-Line rating and lowered his price target to $57 from $69.

Jay Sole of UBS reiterated a Neutral rating and trimmed his price target to $58 from $62.

Joseph Civello of Truist Securities maintained a Buy rating and lowered his price target to $57 from $69.

Peter McGoldrick of Stifel kept a Hold rating and cut his price target to $56 from $65.

Additional Analyst Moves on NKE

Dana Telsey of Telsey Advisory reiterated a Market Perform rating and reduced her price target to $55 from $65.

Laurent Vasilescu of BNP Paribas held his rating and lowered his price target to $23 from $40.

Steve Powers of Deutsche Bank maintained a Hold rating and trimmed his price target to $51 from $54.

Sam Poser of Williams Trading kept his rating and cut his price target to $57 from $80.

Ashley Owens of KeyBanc reiterated an Overweight rating and kept her $75 price target.

Who Called It Before Earnings on NKE?

Ahead of Nike’s print, Matthew Boss of JPMorgan lowered his target to $86 from $100 on March 20. He cited execution risk in international markets. Nike’s Q4 guidance missed Street expectations, validating that view. On AnaChart, Boss has a 61.7% hit ratio on NKE across 47 predictions, with calls averaging 251 days to target. He currently maintains a Neutral rating with a $52 price target.

Jay Sole of UBS cut his target to $62 from $66 on March 19, twelve days before earnings. He cited weak sell-through trends in EMEA and China. He lowered again to $58 following the report. On AnaChart, Sole has a 56.9% hit ratio on NKE across 65 predictions, with calls averaging 240 days to target. He currently maintains a Neutral rating with a $58 price target.

Which Analyst Has the Current Best Track Record on NKE?

According to AnaChart, Sam Poser of Williams Trading has the strongest track record among actively covered NKE analysts. Poser hits 91.18% of price targets across 34 predictions, with calls averaging 318 days to target. He currently maintains a Buy rating with a $73 price target on NKE.

nCino Posts Record ACV Growth and 68% EPS Beat, But Analysts Cut Targets on Sector Valuation Reset

AI Adoption and Banking Software Momentum

nCino reported fiscal fourth-quarter 2026 results on March 31, after the bell. Adjusted EPS of $0.37 beat the $0.22 analyst consensus by $0.15, a 68% earnings surprise. Revenue reached $149.7 million, up 6% year over year and above the $147.85 million estimate. Subscription revenue grew 7% to $133.4 million.

Moreover, annual contract value rose 17% year over year to $602.4 million. That was the fastest ACV growth in over four years. ACV net retention rate climbed to 112% for fiscal 2026, up from 106% the prior year. Churn reached a three-year low of $18.2 million, or 4% of prior-year subscription revenue.

Additionally, non-GAAP operating income for the quarter was $34.7 million, or 23% of revenue, up from 17% a year earlier. Full-year non-GAAP operating income reached $129.4 million, or 22% of revenue. Free cash flow rose 55% for the full year to $82.6 million.

CEO Sean Desmond said fiscal 2026 set company records for gross ACV bookings — both in Q4 and the full year. More than 170 customers purchased AI intelligence units by year-end. Banking adviser usage rose 25x during the year. The company signed a new five-year contract renewal with its largest ACV customer.

Leadership Changes and Capital Allocation

nCino appointed Keith Kettell as Chief Revenue Officer. The board authorized a $100 million accelerated share repurchase program. It is funded through free cash flow and a $200 million term loan expansion.

For fiscal 2027, nCino guided free cash flow of $132 million to $137 million and targeted 10% ACV growth. First-quarter revenue guidance came in above Street estimates. The company transitioned 38% of ACV to a new platform pricing model.

A Reuters report in March 2026 noted that vertical software valuations across the sector have compressed significantly. Peer group multiples have declined from 2025 levels. That compression explains the widespread price target cuts despite the strong earnings beat.

Analysts Adjust nCino Price Targets Following Earnings

Brent Bracelin of Piper Sandler upgraded NCNO to Overweight from Neutral and lowered his price target to $22 from $30.

Alexander Sklar of Raymond James reiterated a Strong Buy rating and kept his price target at $28.

Saket Kalia of Barclays held an Overweight rating and raised his price target to $22 from $21.

Joe Vruwink of Robert W. Baird kept an Outperform rating and trimmed his price target to $24 from $34.

Ryan Tomasello of held an Outperform rating and cut his price target to $24 from $36.

Mayank Tandon of Needham kept a Buy rating and lowered his price target to $25 from $38.

Patrick Walravens of Citizens JMP held a Market Outperform rating and trimmed his price target to $32 from $41.

Terry Tillman of Truist Securities kept a Hold rating and cut his price target to $19 from $27. He cited a sector-wide valuation reset driven by AI disruption concerns. Tillman acknowledged broad-based execution improvement and improving ACV momentum.

Michael Infante of Morgan Stanley raised his price target to $23 from $21, holding his rating steady.

Adam Hotchkiss of Goldman Sachs held a Neutral rating and lowered his price target to $24 from $28.

Koji Ikeda of BofA Securities kept his rating and cut his price target to $21 from $38. Ikeda cited compression in vertical software peer multiples, applying a revised 4.1x multiple versus 5.6x previously.

Scott Berg of Needham reiterated a Buy rating and lowered his price target to $25 from $38.

Who Called It Before Earnings on NCNO?

Ahead of nCino’s print, Ryan MacWilliams of Barclays cut his target to $21 from $34 on March 24, one week before the release. He cited sector valuation headwinds. nCino beat estimates, but price target cuts followed across the group. On AnaChart, MacWilliams has a 63.2% hit ratio on NCNO across 19 predictions, averaging 89 days to target. He currently maintains an Overweight rating with a $21 price target.

Terry Tillman of Truist had already moved to Hold before earnings and kept his $27 target through the quarter. He lowered to $19 following the release. On AnaChart, Tillman has a 50% hit ratio on NCNO across 18 predictions, averaging 170 days to target. He currently maintains a Hold rating with a $19 price target.

Which Analyst Has the Current Best Track Record on NCNO?

According to AnaChart, Brent Bracelin of Piper Sandler has one of the strongest track records among actively covered NCNO analysts. Bracelin hits 76.67% of price targets across 30 predictions, with calls averaging 212 days to target. He currently maintains an Overweight rating with a $22 price target on NCNO.

Conagra Returns to Organic Growth in Q3 But EPS Miss and Narrowed Guidance Prompt Target Cuts

Frozen and Snacks Strength Offset by Ardent Mills Headwind

Conagra Brands reported fiscal third-quarter 2026 results on April 1, before the open. Adjusted EPS of $0.39 missed the $0.40 analyst consensus by one cent. Net sales of $2.79 billion declined 1.9% year over year but beat the $2.76 billion estimate. Organic net sales grew 2.4%, driven by 0.5% volume growth and a 1.9% contribution from price and mix.

Notably, frozen category performance was a standout. Conagra held or gained volume share in 88% of its frozen portfolio. Snacks outpaced category growth for the fifth consecutive quarter, with particular strength in meat snacks and seeds. Single-serve frozen meal market share rose to 52.9%.

However, adjusted gross margin declined year over year, pressured by higher input costs. Adjusted operating margin came in at 10.6%. CFO David Marberger noted that the Ardent Mills joint venture contributed a $0.10 headwind to adjusted EPS in the quarter. Lower commodity trading revenue drove the shortfall.

Meanwhile, CEO Sean Connolly pointed to the return to organic sales growth as evidence the strategy is working. Freight rate risk is largely contained through contract coverage. Marberger acknowledged spot rates have recently surpassed contracted levels. Protein cost coverage for fiscal 2027 stands at 15%. Management flagged this as a key exposure.

As a result, free cash flow conversion rose. Conagra raised its estimate to approximately 105%. The company generated $896 million in net cash flows from operating activities in the first three quarters of fiscal 2026.

Guidance and Margin Outlook

Conagra narrowed adjusted EPS guidance to approximately $1.70. That sits at the low end of the prior $1.70 to $1.85 range and slightly below the $1.72 analyst estimate. The company expects organic net sales near the midpoint of its range of down 1% to up 1%. Conagra guided adjusted operating margin near the high end of 11.0% to 11.5%.

A MarketWatch report in early April 2026 noted that consumer staples companies are navigating a difficult environment. Persistent input cost inflation is compressing margins even as pricing actions and volume gains support topline recovery.

Analysts Adjust Conagra Price Targets Following Earnings

Andrew Lazar of Barclays reiterated an Overweight rating and kept his $21 price target, noting raised free cash flow conversion estimates as a positive from the quarter.

Matthew Smith of Stifel held a Hold rating and cut his price target to $17 from $19, citing ongoing margin compression and the Ardent Mills headwind.

Nik Modi of RBC Capital kept a Sector Perform rating and trimmed his price target to $17 from $20.

Megan Clapp of Morgan Stanley held an Equal-Weight rating and lowered her price target to $17 from $19.

David Palmer of Evercore ISI kept an In-Line rating and cut his price target to $18 from $19.

Scott Marks of Jefferies reiterated a Hold rating and kept his $15 price target.

Robert Moskow of TD Cowen reiterated a Hold rating and kept his $14 price target.

Chris Carey of Wells Fargo held an Underweight rating and trimmed his price target to $14 from $15.

Peter T. Galbo of BofA Securities kept an Underperform rating and lowered his price target to $15 from $17.

Leah Jordan of Goldman Sachs held a Sell rating and cut her price target to $15 from $17.

Peter Grom of UBS kept a Neutral rating and lowered his price target to $16 from $20.

Who Called It Before Earnings on CAG?

Ahead of Conagra’s print, Chris Carey of Wells Fargo downgraded CAG to Underweight on March 12, three weeks before the release. He cut his target to $15 from $20, citing deteriorating margins and a weak consumer environment. Conagra reported adjusted EPS of $0.39, a one-cent miss, with margins declining year over year. Carey lowered his target further to $14 following the results. On AnaChart, Carey has a 40% hit ratio on CAG across 15 predictions, averaging 173 days to target. He currently maintains an Underweight rating with a $14 price target.

Steve Powers of Deutsche Bank cut his target to $14 from $18 on March 30, two days before earnings. He flagged input cost pressures and the Ardent Mills contribution as near-term risks. The results confirmed both concerns. On AnaChart, Powers has a 38.9% hit ratio on CAG across 18 predictions, averaging 132 days to target. He currently maintains a Hold rating with a $14 price target.

Which Analyst Has the Current Best Track Record on CAG?

According to AnaChart, Robert Moskow of TD Cowen has the strongest track record among actively covered CAG analysts. Moskow hits 53.1% of price targets across 32 predictions, with calls averaging 884 days to target. He currently maintains a Hold rating with a $14 price target on CAG.

For last week’s market update, see: Selected Stock Price Target News of the Week — March 26, 2026.