Benzinga's Top Ratings Upgrades, Downgrades For April 7, 2021

Upgrades

• According to Janney Capital, the prior rating for Texas Capital Bancshares Inc TCBI was changed from Neutral to Buy. Texas Capital Bancshares earned $1.14 in the fourth quarter, compared to $1.44 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Texas Capital Bancshares shows a 52-week-high of $93.26 and a 52-week-low of $20.75. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $67.74.
• UBS upgraded the previous rating for Northern Trust Corp NTRS from Sell to Neutral. Northern Trust earned $1.49 in the fourth quarter, compared to $1.81 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $107.96 and a 52-week-low of $67.43. At the end of the last trading period, Northern Trust closed at $105.71.
• According to Janney Montgomery Scott, the prior rating for Texas Capital Bancshares Inc TCBI was changed from Neutral to Buy. Texas Capital Bancshares earned $1.14 in the fourth quarter, compared to $1.44 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Texas Capital Bancshares shows a 52-week-high of $93.26 and a 52-week-low of $20.75. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $67.74.
• Maxim Group upgraded the previous rating for Mesoblast Ltd MESO from Hold to Buy. Mesoblast earned $0.04 in the second quarter, compared to $0.05 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Mesoblast shows a 52-week-high of $21.28 and a 52-week-low of $5.23. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $8.45.
• Raymond James upgraded the previous rating for Preferred Bank PFBC from Market Perform to Outperform. For the fourth quarter, Preferred Bank had an EPS of $1.40, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.31. The stock has a 52-week-high of $67.73 and a 52-week-low of $28.92. At the end of the last trading period, Preferred Bank closed at $65.40.
• Raymond James upgraded the previous rating for Hancock Whitney Corp HWC from Outperform to Strong Buy. In the fourth quarter, Hancock Whitney showed an EPS of $1.17, compared to $1.06 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $47.37 and a 52-week-low of $14.88. At the end of the last trading period, Hancock Whitney closed at $41.54.
• According to Raymond James, the prior rating for Guaranty Federal Bancshares Inc GFED was changed from Market Perform to Outperform. In the fourth quarter, Guaranty Federal showed an EPS of $0.22, compared to $0.53 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Guaranty Federal shows a 52-week-high of $21.25 and a 52-week-low of $13.06. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $19.31.
• Raymond James upgraded the previous rating for Banner Corp BANR from Outperform to Strong Buy. Banner earned $1.08 in the fourth quarter, compared to $1.07 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $60.42 and a 52-week-low of $27.76. Banner closed at $53.88 at the end of the last trading period.
• For GSX Techedu Inc GSX, JP Morgan upgraded the previous rating of Underweight to Neutral. GSX Techedu earned $0.39 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.70 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $149.05 and a 52-week-low of $27.06. GSX Techedu closed at $32.74 at the end of the last trading period.
• Baird upgraded the previous rating for CyberArk Software Ltd CYBR from Neutral to Outperform. CyberArk Software earned $0.82 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.97 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $169.70 and a 52-week-low of $79.40. At the end of the last trading period, CyberArk Software closed at $135.56.
• For National CineMedia Inc NCMI, Benchmark upgraded the previous rating of Hold to Buy. In the fourth quarter, National CineMedia showed an EPS of $0.62, compared to $0.24 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of National CineMedia shows a 52-week-high of $6.11 and a 52-week-low of $1.81. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $4.66.
• Morgan Stanley upgraded the previous rating for Lazard Ltd LAZ from Equal-Weight to Overweight. In the fourth quarter, Lazard showed an EPS of $1.66, compared to $0.91 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $46.95 and a 52-week-low of $22.98. At the end of the last trading period, Lazard closed at $44.75.
• For Abercrombie & Fitch Co ANF, UBS upgraded the previous rating of Neutral to Buy. Abercrombie & Fitch earned $1.50 in the fourth quarter, compared to $1.31 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $37.88 and a 52-week-low of $8.61. At the end of the last trading period, Abercrombie & Fitch closed at $35.21.
• For Gildan Activewear Inc GIL, UBS upgraded the previous rating of Neutral to Buy. In the fourth quarter, Gildan Activewear showed an EPS of $0.45, compared to $0.41 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $32.41 and a 52-week-low of $11.96. At the end of the last trading period, Gildan Activewear closed at $32.20.
• UBS upgraded the previous rating for Kontoor Brands Inc KTB from Neutral to Buy. For the fourth quarter, Kontoor Brands had an EPS of $1.23, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.97. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $55.49 and a 52-week-low of $13.53. Kontoor Brands closed at $50.42 at the end of the last trading period.
• UBS upgraded the previous rating for L Brands Inc LB from Neutral to Buy. For the fourth quarter, L Brands had an EPS of $3.03, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.88. The current stock performance of L Brands shows a 52-week-high of $64.12 and a 52-week-low of $8.80. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $61.88.
• For Saia Inc SAIA, Stephens & Co. upgraded the previous rating of Equal-Weight to Overweight. In the fourth quarter, Saia showed an EPS of $1.51, compared to $0.74 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $243.36 and a 52-week-low of $67.00. Saia closed at $228.67 at the end of the last trading period.
• For National Retail Properties Inc NNN, B of A Securities upgraded the previous rating of Underperform to Buy. In the fourth quarter, National Retail Props showed an EPS of $0.63, compared to $0.70 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $46.44 and a 52-week-low of $25.87. National Retail Props closed at $44.89 at the end of the last trading period.
• For Essential Properties Realty Trust Inc EPRT, B of A Securities upgraded the previous rating of Underperform to Buy. For the fourth quarter, Essential Props Realty had an EPS of $0.27, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.29. The current stock performance of Essential Props Realty shows a 52-week-high of $25.22 and a 52-week-low of $9.78. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $23.87.
• B of A Securities upgraded the previous rating for EPR Properties EPR from Underperform to Buy. EPR Props earned $0.18 in the fourth quarter, compared to $1.26 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of EPR Props shows a 52-week-high of $51.84 and a 52-week-low of $20.53. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $48.05.
• Wolfe Research upgraded the previous rating for ViacomCBS Inc VIAC from Peer Perform to Outperform. ViacomCBS earned $1.04 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.97 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of ViacomCBS shows a 52-week-high of $101.97 and a 52-week-low of $12.94. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $44.35.
• According to JP Morgan, the prior rating for FibroGen Inc FGEN was changed from Underweight to Neutral. For the fourth quarter, FibroGen had an EPS of $0.64, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.12. The current stock performance of FibroGen shows a 52-week-high of $57.21 and a 52-week-low of $30.77. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $34.64.
• Wells Fargo upgraded the previous rating for Fox Corp FOXA from Underweight to Equal-Weight. In the second quarter, Fox showed an EPS of $0.16, compared to $0.10 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $44.80 and a 52-week-low of $23.32. At the end of the last trading period, Fox closed at $37.05.

See all analyst ratings upgrades.

Downgrades

• Seaport Global downgraded the previous rating for Atmos Energy Corp ATO from Buy to Neutral. Atmos Energy earned $1.71 in the first quarter, compared to $1.47 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $111.34 and a 52-week-low of $84.59. Atmos Energy closed at $98.28 at the end of the last trading period.
• According to Seaport Global, the prior rating for CMS Energy Corp CMS was changed from Buy to Neutral. For the fourth quarter, CMS Energy had an EPS of $0.56, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.68. The current stock performance of CMS Energy shows a 52-week-high of $67.98 and a 52-week-low of $52.35. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $61.66.
• Seaport Global downgraded the previous rating for Sempra Energy SRE from Buy to Neutral. Sempra Energy earned $1.90 in the fourth quarter, compared to $1.55 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $137.47 and a 52-week-low of $108.44. At the end of the last trading period, Sempra Energy closed at $134.17.
• For Simmons First National Corp SFNC, Raymond James downgraded the previous rating of Outperform to Market Perform. For the fourth quarter, Simmons First National had an EPS of $0.49, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.66. The stock has a 52-week-high of $33.43 and a 52-week-low of $13.75. At the end of the last trading period, Simmons First National closed at $29.91.
• Raymond James downgraded the previous rating for Regions Financial Corp RF from Strong Buy to Outperform. For the fourth quarter, Regions Financial had an EPS of $0.61, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.40. The stock has a 52-week-high of $22.61 and a 52-week-low of $8.40. At the end of the last trading period, Regions Financial closed at $21.08.
• According to Raymond James, the prior rating for Fulton Financial Corp FULT was changed from Outperform to Market Perform. For the fourth quarter, Fulton Financial had an EPS of $0.30, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.33. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $18.41 and a 52-week-low of $8.89. Fulton Financial closed at $17.08 at the end of the last trading period.
• According to Exane BNP Paribas, the prior rating for Credit Suisse Group AG CS was changed from Outperform to Neutral. For the fourth quarter, Credit Suisse Group had an EPS of $0.40, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.34. The current stock performance of Credit Suisse Group shows a 52-week-high of $14.95 and a 52-week-low of $7.33. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $10.96.
• According to Raymond James, the prior rating for Ameris Bancorp ABCB was changed from Strong Buy to Outperform. In the fourth quarter, Ameris showed an EPS of $1.47, compared to $0.96 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Ameris shows a 52-week-high of $57.81 and a 52-week-low of $17.12. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $52.87.
• According to Raymond James, the prior rating for American National Bankshares Inc AMNB was changed from Outperform to Market Perform. American National earned $0.80 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.67 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $36.50 and a 52-week-low of $18.53. At the end of the last trading period, American National closed at $33.64.
• For W.P. Carey Inc WPC, B of A Securities downgraded the previous rating of Buy to Underperform. For the fourth quarter, W.P. Carey had an EPS of $1.20, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.28. The current stock performance of W.P. Carey shows a 52-week-high of $76.12 and a 52-week-low of $52.22. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $72.44.
• According to Morgan Stanley, the prior rating for Vertex Inc VERX was changed from Equal-Weight to Underweight. Interestingly, in the fourth quarter, Vertex's EPS was $0.08. The stock has a 52-week-high of $39.71 and a 52-week-low of $21.32. At the end of the last trading period, Vertex closed at $22.66.
• According to Morgan Stanley, the prior rating for Bright Horizons Family Solutions Inc BFAM was changed from Equal-Weight to Underweight. In the fourth quarter, Bright Horizons Family showed an EPS of $0.36, compared to $1.01 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $182.50 and a 52-week-low of $90.87. At the end of the last trading period, Bright Horizons Family closed at $178.18.
• Mizuho downgraded the previous rating for FibroGen Inc FGEN from Buy to Neutral. For the fourth quarter, FibroGen had an EPS of $0.64, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.12. The current stock performance of FibroGen shows a 52-week-high of $57.21 and a 52-week-low of $30.77. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $34.64.
• According to Raymond James, the prior rating for Casey's General Stores Inc CASY was changed from Outperform to Market Perform. For the third quarter, Casey's General Stores had an EPS of $1.04, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.91. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $221.29 and a 52-week-low of $122.88. Casey's General Stores closed at $219.00 at the end of the last trading period.
• HC Wainwright & Co. downgraded the previous rating for ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc ACAD from Buy to Neutral. In the fourth quarter, ACADIA Pharmaceuticals showed an EPS of $0.42, compared to $0.34 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $58.72 and a 52-week-low of $20.36. ACADIA Pharmaceuticals closed at $20.64 at the end of the last trading period.
• According to HC Wainwright & Co., the prior rating for FibroGen Inc FGEN was changed from Buy to Neutral. For the fourth quarter, FibroGen had an EPS of $0.64, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.12. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $57.21 and a 52-week-low of $30.77. FibroGen closed at $34.64 at the end of the last trading period.
• Wolfe Research downgraded the previous rating for Paychex Inc PAYX from Peer Perform to Underperform. For the third quarter, Paychex had an EPS of $0.96, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.97. The stock has a 52-week-high of $101.15 and a 52-week-low of $60.00. At the end of the last trading period, Paychex closed at $95.42.

See all analyst ratings downgrades.

Initiations

• William Blair initiated coverage on Ameresco Inc AMRC with an Outperform rating. For the fourth quarter, Ameresco had an EPS of $0.47, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.46. The stock has a 52-week-high of $70.25 and a 52-week-low of $16.01. At the end of the last trading period, Ameresco closed at $49.82.
• Wells Fargo initiated coverage on WR Berkley Corp WRB with an Overweight rating. The price target for WR Berkley is set to $92.00. WR Berkley earned $0.92 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.62 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $77.97 and a 52-week-low of $45.25. At the end of the last trading period, WR Berkley closed at $77.99.
• With an Outperform rating, Wolfe Research initiated coverage on Paysafe Ltd PSFE. The price target seems to have been set at $19.00 for Paysafe. The current stock performance of Paysafe shows a 52-week-high of $15.65 and a 52-week-low of $13.50. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $14.37.
• Canaccord Genuity initiated coverage on PARTS iD Inc ID with a Buy rating. The price target for PARTS iD is set to $12.00. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $10.82 and a 52-week-low of $4.72. PARTS iD closed at $7.85 at the end of the last trading period.
• With a Buy rating, Benchmark initiated coverage on Emergent BioSolutions Inc EBS. The price target seems to have been set at $150.00 for Emergent BioSolutions. Emergent BioSolutions earned $3.67 in the fourth quarter, compared to $1.57 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Emergent BioSolutions shows a 52-week-high of $137.61 and a 52-week-low of $58.46. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $79.34.
• Citigroup initiated coverage on Ouster Inc OUST with a Buy rating. The price target for Ouster is set to $17.00. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $12.10 and a 52-week-low of $7.55. Ouster closed at $7.83 at the end of the last trading period.
• Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on Avalara Inc AVLR with an Overweight rating. The price target for Avalara is set to $170.00. For the fourth quarter, Avalara had an EPS of $0.09, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.08. The stock has a 52-week-high of $185.37 and a 52-week-low of $64.44. At the end of the last trading period, Avalara closed at $141.56.
• JMP Securities initiated coverage on Broadmark Realty Capital Inc BRMK with a Market Perform rating. In the fourth quarter, Broadmark Realty Capital showed an EPS of $0.20, compared to $0.21 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $10.96 and a 52-week-low of $6.79. Broadmark Realty Capital closed at $10.45 at the end of the last trading period.
• With a Neutral rating, Goldman Sachs initiated coverage on GFL Environmental Inc GFL. The price target seems to have been set at $37.00 for GFL Environmental. Interestingly, in the fourth quarter, GFL Environmental's EPS was $0.03. The stock has a 52-week-high of $35.89 and a 52-week-low of $11.94. At the end of the last trading period, GFL Environmental closed at $35.25.
• Goldman Sachs initiated coverage on Republic Services Inc RSG with a Buy rating. The price target for Republic Services is set to $117.00. In the fourth quarter, Republic Services showed an EPS of $1.00, compared to $0.91 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $103.79 and a 52-week-low of $73.75. At the end of the last trading period, Republic Services closed at $101.51.
• Goldman Sachs initiated coverage on Waste Connections Inc WCN with a Buy rating. The price target for Waste Connections is set to $124.00. Waste Connections earned $0.68 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.69 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $111.12 and a 52-week-low of $77.00. At the end of the last trading period, Waste Connections closed at $110.93.
• Goldman Sachs initiated coverage on Waste Management Inc WM with a Buy rating. The price target for Waste Management is set to $145.00. In the fourth quarter, Waste Management showed an EPS of $1.13, compared to $1.19 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $132.54 and a 52-week-low of $90.54. At the end of the last trading period, Waste Management closed at $131.49.
• B. Riley FBR initiated coverage on MultiPlan Corp MPLN with a Buy rating. The price target for MultiPlan is set to $10.00. MultiPlan earned $0.22 in the fourth quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $9.82 and a 52-week-low of $5.48. At the end of the last trading period, MultiPlan closed at $6.06.
• For JOANN Inc JOAN, William Blair initiated coverage, by setting the current rating at Outperform. In the fourth quarter, JOANN earned $1.05. The current stock performance of JOANN shows a 52-week-high of $12.80 and a 52-week-low of $9.75. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $12.15.
• With an Outperform rating, Oppenheimer initiated coverage on Titan Medical Inc TMDI. The price target seems to have been set at $4.00 for Titan Medical. Titan Medical earned $0.25 in the fourth quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $3.47 and a 52-week-low of $0.20. At the end of the last trading period, Titan Medical closed at $1.79.
• With an Outperform rating, RBC Capital initiated coverage on Azure Power Global Ltd AZRE. The price target seems to have been set at $42.00 for Azure Power Global. For the third quarter, Azure Power Global had an EPS of $0.31, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.44. The current stock performance of Azure Power Global shows a 52-week-high of $53.60 and a 52-week-low of $13.36. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $27.98.
• RBC Capital initiated coverage on Sunrun Inc RUN with an Outperform rating. The price target for Sunrun is set to $81.00. In the fourth quarter, Sunrun showed an EPS of $0.88, compared to $0.10 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $100.93 and a 52-week-low of $9.39. At the end of the last trading period, Sunrun closed at $56.22.
• Evercore ISI Group initiated coverage on Longboard Pharmaceuticals Inc LBPH with an Outperform rating. The price target for Longboard Pharmaceuticals is set to $35.00. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $18.95 and a 52-week-low of $15.50. Longboard Pharmaceuticals closed at $17.30 at the end of the last trading period.
• With an Outperform rating, Oppenheimer initiated coverage on Oncternal Therapeutics Inc ONCT. The price target seems to have been set at $14.00 for Oncternal Therapeutics. For the fourth quarter, Oncternal Therapeutics had an EPS of $0.09, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.27. The current stock performance of Oncternal Therapeutics shows a 52-week-high of $9.45 and a 52-week-low of $1.49. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $8.66.

See all analyst ratings initiations.