Bausch + Lomb price target raised to $19 from $16 at Stifel

Stifel analyst Thomas Stephan raised the firm’s price target on Bausch + Lomb to $19 from $16 and keeps a Hold rating on the shares. Recent “unsubstantiated M&A reports” have lifted Bausch + Lomb shares notably of late, notes the analyst, who believes a sale of B+L to private equity “seems probable.” While the narrative of the stock now shifts to takeout potential and likelihood, the firm continues to focus on business fundamentals, noting that its revenue deep dive and Q2 10-Q review “illustrate several positive top-line findings.”