Wall Street Analysts Change Views on 2 Outperformers

There's already heavy options trading on Waste Management

Beverage expert Keurig Dr Pepper (NYSE:KDP) and trash giant Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE:WM) have both been strong performers on the charts, but today analysts have weighed in bearishly on the stocks. Below is a brief look at the shares of KDP and WM.

Morgan Stanley downgraded its rating on Keurig Dr Pepper to "underweight" from "equal-weight," and trimmed its price target by $3 to $24. The brokerage firm is worried about increased competition from Coca-Cola (KO) and cheaper coffee-brewing brands. Most analysts already have a bearish view on KDP, with nine of the 14 in coverage handing out "hold" recommendations coming into today.

The stock has been a huge winner since the merger of Dr Pepper and Keurig back in July, enjoying a series of higher lows since that time. While the shares are down 3.5% today at $27.06, they're sitting just below their November high of $28.81, and appear to be getting support once again from the 80-day moving average.

WM stock, meanwhile, is off 4.5% at $98.58, after Stifel cut its rating to "hold" from "buy," based on concerns around the company's recycling business. Despite the pullback, the shares are up almost 12% in 2019, and could find a familiar floor at the $98 level, which contained a pullback one month ago.

There's been notable options activity out of the gate on Waste Management today, with traders picking up the April 95 put, opening new positions that could be betting on an extended pullback from the equity. However, the stock's long-term success on the charts means any put activity on WM could be from shareholders protecting paper profits with options.