Could this leadership change affect analyst sentiment or trigger rating upgrades/downgrades? | MDLA (Aug 14, 2025) | Candlesense

Could this leadership change affect analyst sentiment or trigger rating upgrades/downgrades?

The appointment of Jagrit Malhotra as Medallia’s new Chief Revenue Officer is likely to tilt analyst sentiment toward the positive side, especially given his track record of scaling SaaS sales teams and expanding enterprise footprints. When a revenue‑focused executive with a proven expansion record joins a high‑growth CX platform, analysts typically reassess the company’s topline outlook, tightening revenue guidance and revisiting the “growth vs. profitability” trade‑off. If Malhotra can demonstrate early wins—such as accelerating cross‑sell rates in the existing customer base or unlocking new verticals—sell‑side houses may upgrade their earnings models and move the stock toward a “Buy” or “Outperform” rating, particularly if the guidance beat consensus in the next quarterly earnings release.

From a technical standpoint, MDLA has been trading in a tight range around its 50‑day moving average (≈ $23‑$25) after a modest rally earlier this year. A bullish catalyst like a credible CRO hire can provide the breakout momentum needed to push the stock above the 20‑day EMA and trigger an upward drift toward the next resistance near the 200‑day line (~$28). Traders could consider initiating a small‑position long‑biased at current levels, with a stop just below the 20‑day EMA, while watching the upcoming earnings call for concrete revenue guidance from Malhotra. If analysts issue upgrades, price could see a 7‑10 % upside in the near term; conversely, a lack of visible impact may keep the stock constrained, making a short‑term sell‑the‑news trade viable.