Piper Sandler has adopted a more optimistic outlook on U.S. stocks, raising its target for the S&P 500. In contrast, the firm has downgraded Charles Schwab ($SCHW) from Overweight to Neutral, reducing its price target from $80 to $64. This downgrade follows Schwab's announcement to decrease its balance sheet duration and reduce its bank size by utilizing third-party banking relationships. Additionally, Wells Fargo has identified a recent pullback in a European chip stock as a buying opportunity, while Piper Sandler has recommended buying an advertising stock ahead of its earnings report.