Analysts Upgrade, Downgrade And Retain Ratings On DirecTV

After the announcement of the $49 billion acquisition of DirecTV (NASDAQ: DTV) by AT&T (NYSE: T) analysts from Nomura, Pivotal and the Buckingham Research Group have all had different views and ratings on DirecTV.

With the acquisition still needing to receive approval from US and foreign regulators, here is a look at what these analysts are thinking about DTV.

Nomura analyst Adam Ilkowitz upgraded DirecTV to Neutral from Reduce and increased the target price from $50 to $95. Ilkowitz believes the acquisition deal will be approved by US and foreign regulators, Ilkowitz supports this by viewing the deal will have a lack of competitive concerns.

Pivotal analyst Jeffrey Wlodarczak came out saying that after a decade of a Buy rating on DTV, he downgraded to a Hold. Citing a disappointment in the price and structure of the acquisition DirecTV accepted, Wlodarczak also voiced concerns due to no break-up fee if the deal is not approved regulators.

Buckingham Research Group analyst James Ratcliffe retained a Neutral rating, but did Increase the target price from $93 to $95 in reaction to DirecTV agreeing to be acquired for $95/share. Seeing no additional bids for DirecTV in the future and a long-term negative deal for its competitors due to AT&T's broadband buildout, Ratcliffe is going to assign a Neutral rating for DirecTV.

DirecTV stocks were down 0.89 percent to $83.90 in Tuesday morning's trading.