$RCKT

Rocket Pharmaceuticals (RCKT) announced FDA agreement to include 3 patients in its Phase 2 trial for Danon disease gene therapy RP-A501, with 9 more to be enrolled. The modified protocol includes dose adjustments and enhanced safety monitoring. The FDA confirmed 12-month co-primary endpoints for efficacy. The trial aims to complete dosing by mid-2027, with primary assessment 12 months post-treatment. Safety and efficacy data remain key uncertainties.

Analysts updated ratings for five stocks: Rocket Pharmaceuticals (RCKT) was upgraded to Buy with a $9 target due to FDA confidence in its Danon disease study. Copart (CPRT) was downgraded to Hold with a $36 target due to weak insurance volumes and rising costs. Pegasystems (PEGA) was downgraded to Neutral with a $47 target due to AI-related disruption. Abeona Therapeutics (ABEO) was initiated with a Buy and $17 target due to strong gene therapy prospects. Fluence Energy (FLNC) was downgraded to

U.S. 30-year fixed mortgage rates rose to 6.95% in the week ended Sept. 17, the highest since January 2025, increasing monthly payments on a $400,000 loan by $51. The Fed raised its target range to 3.75%-4.00%, but mortgage rates are more tied to Treasury yields. Housing-sensitive stocks like Rocket Companies and D.R. Horton fell. Builders are using incentives to maintain demand.

Major U.S. mortgage lenders adjusted their 30-year fixed rates following the Federal Reserve's rate hike. Rocket Mortgage and Bank of America increased rates, while U.S. Bank lowered its. Freddie Mac reported a national average rate of 6.76%, with refinance applications dropping 9% week-over-week. Home-equity products saw increased interest, and the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index fell to 32 in September.

Analysts made several rating changes: Wolfe upgraded Paychex (PAYX) citing stable employment trends. UBS upgraded Union Pacific (UNP) to Buy with a $339 price target, expecting strong 2027 volume growth. Needham upgraded Rocket Pharmaceuticals (RCKT) to Buy with a $9 target after FDA reaffirmed study design. JPMorgan upgraded Credicorp (BAP) to Overweight with a $482 target, seeing strong EPS growth. Morgan Stanley downgraded Expedia (EXPE) to Underweight with a $235 target, citing weaker assets

Futures rise ahead of the Fed's expected 25bp rate hike, the first since 2023. Intel (INTC) shares jump 3% on reports of talks with SK Hynix for US memory chip production. JB Hunt (JBHT) falls 11% due to rising costs and an earnings warning. Alvotech (ALVO) rises 7% after a Barclays upgrade. The Fed's decision and economic data releases are key focuses for investors.

Analysts upgraded several companies: Needham upgraded Similarweb (SMWB) to Buy with a $11 target, Wolfe Research upgraded Paychex (PAYX) to Peer Perform, Needham upgraded Rocket Pharmaceuticals (RCKT) to Buy with a $9 target, UBS upgraded Union Pacific (UNP) to Buy with a $339 target, and Barclays upgraded Alvotech (ALVO) to Overweight with a $8 target.

Wall Street analysts upgraded Credicorp (BAP) to Overweight, Paychex (PAYX) to Peer Perform, Rocket Pharmaceuticals (RCKT) to Buy, Similarweb (SMWB) to Buy, and Union Pacific (UNP) to Buy. Downgrades include Expedia (EXPE) to Underweight, Grupo Aval (AVAL) to Underweight, Hartford Financial (HIG) to Neutral, Meritage Homes (MTH) to Hold, and Nubank (NU) to Market Perform. Initiations: Airbnb (ABNB) with Equal Weight, Booking Holdings (BKNG) with Overweight, Dutch Bros (BROS) with Buy, Five9 (FIV

Rocket Pharmaceuticals (RCKT) received an FDA alignment on a pivotal study for its genetic disease therapy, leading to a 'Buy' upgrade from Needham with a $9 price target, implying 150% upside. The FDA confirmed continued enrollment in the Phase 2 study of RP-A501 for Danon Disease, with dosing expected to complete by mid-2027. The stock was up 7.6% on the news.

Needham upgraded Rocket Pharmaceuticals (RCKT) from Hold to Buy, setting a $9.00 price target. The company's current price is $3.415, with a GF Score of 25/100. Insiders sold $432,273 worth of shares in the last three months. RCKT focuses on gene therapies for rare diseases and has no market-ready products.