Analyst Predicts a Rebound for Struggling BYND Stock

Berenberg started with a "buy" rating, and a $100 price target

Beyond Meat Inc (NASDAQ:BYND) just received yet another analyst note today, this time courtesy of Berenberg, which initiated coverage with a "buy" rating, and a $100 price target. The broker predicted that the faux-meat stock was on the precipice of "its second evolution," adding it can capture more market share. BYND is up 2.5% in response, to trade at $80.71.

Despite the pop, BYND has a ways to go before getting back where it was on the charts only a few weeks ago. Since its all-time high above $230 in late July, the stock has been in a near continuous downward spiral, now roughly 66% off its peak. With several more recent attempts to break out capped by its 40-day moving average, BYND is now eyeing its fourth consecutive month in the red.

Most analysts are still approaching BYND with caution. Prior to today, seven "hold" or worse ratings were on the table, compared to only three "buys." The consensus 12-month target price of $115.82, on the other hand, is a roughly 43% premium to last night's close.

Puts have been running slightly hotter than calls of late, too. At the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Cboe Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), BYND sports a 50-day put/call ratio of 1.11. There's still plenty of room to speculate on BYND's next move with options, however. The security's Schaeffer's Volatility Index (SVI) of 56% sits in the extremely low 4th percentile of its annual range, suggesting near-term options traders are pricing in relatively low volatility expectations.