Benzinga's Top Upgrades, Downgrades For December 11, 2020

Upgrades

According to Credit Suisse, the prior rating for U.S. Bancorp USB was changed from Underperform to Neutral. In the third quarter, U.S. Bancorp showed an EPS of $0.99, compared to $1.15 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of 61.11 and a 52-week-low of 28.36. U.S. Bancorp closed at $46.12 at the end of the last trading period.
Morgan Stanley upgraded the previous rating for Valero Energy Corp VLO from Equal-Weight to Overweight. For the third quarter, Valero Energy had an EPS of $1.16, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.48. The stock has a 52-week-high of 98.03 and a 52-week-low of 31.0. At the end of the last trading period, Valero Energy closed at $59.90.
Citigroup upgraded the previous rating for Ralph Lauren Corp RL from Neutral to Buy. Ralph Lauren earned $1.44 in the second quarter, compared to $2.26 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Ralph Lauren shows a 52-week-high of 128.29 and a 52-week-low of 59.82. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $103.82.
Morgan Stanley upgraded the previous rating for HollyFrontier Corp HFC from Underweight to Equal-Weight. HollyFrontier earned $0.41 in the third quarter, compared to $1.68 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of 52.23 and a 52-week-low of 16.81. At the end of the last trading period, HollyFrontier closed at $28.45.
According to Deutsche bank, the prior rating for Crown Castle International Corp CCI was changed from Hold to Buy. For the third quarter, Crown Castle Intl had an EPS of $1.56, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.55. The stock has a 52-week-high of 180.0 and a 52-week-low of 114.18. At the end of the last trading period, Crown Castle Intl closed at $157.21.
According to RBC Capital, the prior rating for Synovus Financial Corp SNV was changed from Sector Perform to Outperform. For the third quarter, Synovus Finl had an EPS of $0.89, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.97. The stock has a 52-week-high of 40.32 and a 52-week-low of 10.91. At the end of the last trading period, Synovus Finl closed at $32.54.
According to Raymond James, the prior rating for The Scotts Miracle Gro Co SMG was changed from Market Perform to Strong Buy. For the fourth quarter, Scotts Miracle Gro had an EPS of $0.06, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.91. The current stock performance of Scotts Miracle Gro shows a 52-week-high of 186.99 and a 52-week-low of 76.5. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $186.93.
Morgan Stanley upgraded the previous rating for Diamondback Energy Inc FANG from Equal-Weight to Overweight. In the third quarter, Diamondback Energy showed an EPS of $0.62, compared to $1.47 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of 96.92 and a 52-week-low of 14.55. Diamondback Energy closed at $49.94 at the end of the last trading period.
Stifel upgraded the previous rating for Equifax Inc EFX from Hold to Buy. Equifax earned $1.87 in the third quarter, compared to $1.48 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Equifax shows a 52-week-high of 190.157 and a 52-week-low of 103.01. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $183.40.
For Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp CTSH, JP Morgan upgraded the previous rating of Neutral to the current rating Overweight. For the third quarter, Cognizant Tech Solns had an EPS of $0.97, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.08. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of 81.11 and a 52-week-low of 40.01. Cognizant Tech Solns closed at $78.38 at the end of the last trading period.
According to JP Morgan, the prior rating for CommScope Holding Co Inc COMM was changed from Neutral to Overweight. In the third quarter, CommScope Hldg Co showed an EPS of $0.51, compared to $0.55 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of 15.05 and a 52-week-low of 5.5. At the end of the last trading period, CommScope Hldg Co closed at $13.16.
Jefferies upgraded the previous rating for AutoZone Inc AZO from Hold to Buy. AutoZone earned $18.61 in the first quarter, compared to $14.30 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of 1274.4075 and a 52-week-low of 684.91. AutoZone closed at $1137.08 at the end of the last trading period.

Downgrades

According to Credit Suisse, the prior rating for First Republic Bank FRC was changed from Neutral to Underperform. For the third quarter, First Republic Bank had an EPS of $1.61, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.31. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of 142.14 and a 52-week-low of 70.06. First Republic Bank closed at $130.22 at the end of the last trading period.
Credit Suisse downgraded the previous rating for Northern Trust Corp NTRS from Neutral to Underperform. For the third quarter, Northern Trust had an EPS of $1.47, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.69. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of 110.48 and a 52-week-low of 60.67. Northern Trust closed at $91.72 at the end of the last trading period.
For Iridium Communications Inc IRDM, Sidoti & Co. downgraded the previous rating of Buy to the current rating Neutral. For the third quarter, Iridium Communications had an EPS of $0.03, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.14. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of 35.3 and a 52-week-low of 16.87. Iridium Communications closed at $34.21 at the end of the last trading period.
Morgan Stanley downgraded the previous rating for Williams Companies Inc WMB from Overweight to Equal-Weight. For the third quarter, Williams Companies had an EPS of $0.27, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.26. The stock has a 52-week-high of 24.17 and a 52-week-low of 8.41. At the end of the last trading period, Williams Companies closed at $22.00.
According to Deutsche bank, the prior rating for United Airlines Holdings Inc UAL was changed from Buy to Hold. For the third quarter, United Airlines Holdings had an EPS of $8.16, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $4.07. The current stock performance of United Airlines Holdings shows a 52-week-high of 90.57 and a 52-week-low of 17.8. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $49.64.
According to Citigroup, the prior rating for TJX Companies Inc TJX was changed from Buy to Neutral. For the third quarter, TJX Companies had an EPS of $0.71, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.68. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of 66.895 and a 52-week-low of 32.72. TJX Companies closed at $66.51 at the end of the last trading period.
For Spirit Airlines Inc SAVE, Deutsche bank downgraded the previous rating of Buy to the current rating Hold. Spirit Airlines earned $2.32 in the third quarter, compared to $1.32 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Spirit Airlines shows a 52-week-high of 47.4998 and a 52-week-low of 7.01. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $27.20.
Deutsche bank downgraded the previous rating for Southwest Airlines Co LUV from Buy to Hold. For the third quarter, Southwest Airlines had an EPS of $1.99, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.18. The stock has a 52-week-high of 58.83 and a 52-week-low of 22.465. At the end of the last trading period, Southwest Airlines closed at $46.80.
Deutsche bank downgraded the previous rating for SkyWest Inc SKYW from Buy to Hold. For the third quarter, SkyWest had an EPS of $0.66, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.79. The current stock performance of SkyWest shows a 52-week-high of 66.52 and a 52-week-low of 10.58. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $44.57.
For PBF Energy Inc PBF, Morgan Stanley downgraded the previous rating of Equal-Weight to the current rating Underweight. PBF Energy earned $2.87 in the third quarter, compared to $0.66 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of 33.99 and a 52-week-low of 4.06. At the end of the last trading period, PBF Energy closed at $8.84.
For JetBlue Airways Corp JBLU, Deutsche bank downgraded the previous rating of Buy to the current rating Hold. In the third quarter, JetBlue Airways showed an EPS of $1.75, compared to $0.59 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of 21.6501 and a 52-week-low of 6.61. JetBlue Airways closed at $15.50 at the end of the last trading period.
According to Deutsche bank, the prior rating for Delta Air Lines Inc DAL was changed from Buy to Hold. Delta Air Lines earned $3.30 in the third quarter, compared to $2.32 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Delta Air Lines shows a 52-week-high of 62.48 and a 52-week-low of 17.51. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $42.61.
For American Airlines Group Inc AAL, Deutsche bank downgraded the previous rating of Buy to the current rating Hold. For the third quarter, American Airlines Group had an EPS of $5.54, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.42. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of 30.78 and a 52-week-low of 8.25. American Airlines Group closed at $17.99 at the end of the last trading period.
According to Deutsche bank, the prior rating for Allegiant Travel Co ALGT was changed from Buy to Hold. In the third quarter, Allegiant Travel showed an EPS of $4.28, compared to $2.70 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of 186.3199 and a 52-week-low of 60.06. Allegiant Travel closed at $177.80 at the end of the last trading period.
According to Deutsche bank, the prior rating for Alaska Air Group Inc ALK was changed from Buy to Hold. Alaska Air Group earned $3.23 in the third quarter, compared to $2.63 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of 70.41 and a 52-week-low of 20.02. At the end of the last trading period, Alaska Air Group closed at $51.27.
Jefferies downgraded the previous rating for Tesla Inc TSLA from Buy to Hold. In the third quarter, Tesla showed an EPS of $0.76, compared to $0.37 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of 654.32 and a 52-week-low of 67.862. Tesla closed at $627.07 at the end of the last trading period.
According to Goldman Sachs, the prior rating for Stitch Fix Inc SFIX was changed from Buy to Neutral. In the first quarter, Stitch Fix showed an EPS of $0.09, compared to $0.00 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of 59.72 and a 52-week-low of 10.9. Stitch Fix closed at $59.21 at the end of the last trading period.
JP Morgan downgraded the previous rating for Corning Inc GLW from Overweight to Neutral. In the third quarter, Corning showed an EPS of $0.43, compared to $0.44 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of 38.435 and a 52-week-low of 17.44. At the end of the last trading period, Corning closed at $37.18.

Initiations

Goldman Sachs initiated coverage on Fisker Inc FSR with a Neutral rating. The price target for Fisker is set to $15.00. The stock has a 52-week-high of 23.625 and a 52-week-low of 14.93. At the end of the last trading period, Fisker closed at $15.00.
For Deckers Outdoor Corp DECK, Raymond James initiated coverage, by setting the current rating at Market Perform. For the second quarter, Deckers Outdoor had an EPS of $3.58, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $2.71. The stock has a 52-week-high of 301.94 and a 52-week-low of 78.7. At the end of the last trading period, Deckers Outdoor closed at $291.91.
CL King initiated coverage on Wingstop Inc WING with a Buy rating. Wingstop earned $0.30 in the third quarter, compared to $0.20 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of 170.0 and a 52-week-low of 44.27. Wingstop closed at $129.92 at the end of the last trading period.
With a current rating of Overweight, Barclays initiated coverage on The Interpublic Group of Companies Inc IPG. The price target seems to have been set at $33.00 for Interpublic Gr of Cos. For the third quarter, Interpublic Gr of Cos had an EPS of $0.53, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.49. The stock has a 52-week-high of 25.2 and a 52-week-low of 11.63. At the end of the last trading period, Interpublic Gr of Cos closed at $23.63.
Piper Sandler initiated coverage on SolarEdge Technologies Inc SEDG with an Overweight rating. The price target for SolarEdge Technologies is set to $325.00. In the third quarter, SolarEdge Technologies showed an EPS of $1.21, compared to $1.21 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of SolarEdge Technologies shows a 52-week-high of 317.88 and a 52-week-low of 67.02. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $273.48.
With a current rating of Buy, Goldman Sachs initiated coverage on Lordstown Motors Corp RIDE. The price target seems to have been set at $31.00 for Lordstown Motors. For the third quarter, Lordstown Motors had an EPS of $0.00, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.01. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of 30.75 and a 52-week-low of 12.8. Lordstown Motors closed at $18.17 at the end of the last trading period.
With a current rating of Buy, Deutsche bank initiated coverage on Quaker Chemical Corp KWR. The price target seems to have been set at $285.00 for Quaker Chemical. For the third quarter, Quaker Chemical had an EPS of $1.56, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.56. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of 272.31 and a 52-week-low of 108.14. Quaker Chemical closed at $248.07 at the end of the last trading period.
With a current rating of Neutral, Citigroup initiated coverage on Kodiak Sciences Inc KOD. The price target seems to have been set at $134.00 for Kodiak Sciences. Kodiak Sciences earned $0.80 in the third quarter, compared to $0.33 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Kodiak Sciences shows a 52-week-high of 141.98 and a 52-week-low of 35.4939. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $126.74.
Piper Sandler initiated coverage on First Solar Inc FSLR with a Neutral rating. The price target for First Solar is set to $92.00. In the third quarter, First Solar showed an EPS of $1.45, compared to $0.29 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of 98.4597 and a 52-week-low of 28.47. First Solar closed at $86.54 at the end of the last trading period.
With a current rating of Overweight, Piper Sandler initiated coverage on Enphase Energy Inc ENPH. The price target seems to have been set at $150.00 for Enphase Energy. Enphase Energy earned $0.30 in the third quarter, compared to $0.30 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of 148.9373 and a 52-week-low of 21.49. At the end of the last trading period, Enphase Energy closed at $131.21.
For Capital One Financial Corp COF, Stephens & Co. initiated coverage, by setting the current rating at Equal-Weight. In the third quarter, Capital One Financial showed an EPS of $5.06, compared to $3.32 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of 107.59 and a 52-week-low of 38.0. Capital One Financial closed at $94.61 at the end of the last trading period.
With a current rating of Outperform, Oppenheimer initiated coverage on BlueCity Holdings Ltd BLCT. The price target seems to have been set at $20.00 for BlueCity Holdings. Interestingly, in the third quarter, BlueCity Holdings's EPS was $0.03. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of 18.3 and a 52-week-low of 8.04. BlueCity Holdings closed at $9.87 at the end of the last trading period.
For Airbnb Inc ABNB, BTIG initiated coverage, by setting the current rating at Neutral. The stock has a 52-week-high of 165.0 and a 52-week-low of 141.25. At the end of the last trading period, Airbnb closed at $144.71.
For Foot Locker Inc FL, KeyBanc initiated coverage, by setting the current rating at Sector Weight. Foot Locker earned $1.21 in the third quarter, compared to $1.13 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of 43.07 and a 52-week-low of 17.46. Foot Locker closed at $42.27 at the end of the last trading period.
KeyBanc initiated coverage on PVH Corp PVH with an Overweight rating. The price target for PVH is set to $122.00. In the third quarter, PVH showed an EPS of $1.32, compared to $3.10 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of 108.06 and a 52-week-low of 28.4. PVH closed at $94.70 at the end of the last trading period.
KeyBanc initiated coverage on Nike Inc NKE with an Overweight rating. The price target for Nike is set to $174.00. In the first quarter, Nike showed an EPS of $0.95, compared to $0.86 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Nike shows a 52-week-high of 140.57 and a 52-week-low of 60.0. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $137.51.