Benzinga's Top Ratings Upgrades, Downgrades For October 6, 2021

Upgrades

• According to TD Securities, the prior rating for Thomson Reuters Corp TRI was changed from Hold to Buy. Thomson Reuters earned $0.48 in the second quarter, compared to $0.44 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $120.31 and a 52-week-low of $77.10. At the end of the last trading period, Thomson Reuters closed at $110.43.
• According to B of A Securities, the prior rating for Checkmate Pharmaceuticals Inc CMPI was changed from Neutral to Buy. For the second quarter, Checkmate Pharmaceuticals had an EPS of $0.88, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $7.37. The stock has a 52-week-high of $23.10 and a 52-week-low of $3.63. At the end of the last trading period, Checkmate Pharmaceuticals closed at $3.86.
• RBC Capital upgraded the previous rating for Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd AEM from Sector Perform to Outperform. Agnico Eagle Mines earned $0.69 in the second quarter, compared to $0.18 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $85.46 and a 52-week-low of $49.20. Agnico Eagle Mines closed at $52.61 at the end of the last trading period.
• For Ambev SA ABEV, Barclays upgraded the previous rating of Equal-Weight to Overweight. For the second quarter, Ambev had an EPS of $0.03, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.01. The current stock performance of Ambev shows a 52-week-high of $3.95 and a 52-week-low of $2.13. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $2.73.
• According to Loop Capital, the prior rating for Martin Marietta Materials Inc MLM was changed from Hold to Buy. For the second quarter, Martin Marietta Materials had an EPS of $3.81, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $3.49. The current stock performance of Martin Marietta Materials shows a 52-week-high of $391.76 and a 52-week-low of $239.70. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $348.11.
• For Vulcan Materials Co VMC, Loop Capital upgraded the previous rating of Hold to Buy. For the second quarter, Vulcan Materials had an EPS of $1.57, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.60. The current stock performance of Vulcan Materials shows a 52-week-high of $194.17 and a 52-week-low of $131.36. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $169.28.
• For Conmed Corp CNMD, Needham upgraded the previous rating of Hold to Buy. In the second quarter, Conmed showed an EPS of $0.71, compared to $0.07 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $146.95 and a 52-week-low of $76.43. At the end of the last trading period, Conmed closed at $130.56.
• According to Exane BNP Paribas, the prior rating for Rio Tinto PLC RIO was changed from Neutral to Outperform. The stock has a 52-week-high of $95.97 and a 52-week-low of $55.39. At the end of the last trading period, Rio Tinto closed at $66.38.
• For Vale SA VALE, Exane BNP Paribas upgraded the previous rating of Underperform to Neutral. Vale earned $1.49 in the second quarter, compared to $0.19 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $23.18 and a 52-week-low of $10.38. Vale closed at $13.74 at the end of the last trading period.
• For Commercial Metals Co CMC, Goldman Sachs upgraded the previous rating of Sell to Neutral. For the third quarter, Commercial Metals had an EPS of $1.04, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.59. The current stock performance of Commercial Metals shows a 52-week-high of $36.49 and a 52-week-low of $18.68. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $31.76.
• Piper Sandler upgraded the previous rating for Phillips 66 PSX from Neutral to Overweight. In the second quarter, Phillips 66 showed an EPS of $0.74, compared to $0.74 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $94.34 and a 52-week-low of $43.27. At the end of the last trading period, Phillips 66 closed at $77.35.
• RBC Capital upgraded the previous rating for Cerence Inc CRNC from Sector Perform to Outperform. In the third quarter, Cerence showed an EPS of $0.62, compared to $0.31 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $139.00 and a 52-week-low of $48.51. Cerence closed at $85.78 at the end of the last trading period.
• Goldman Sachs upgraded the previous rating for Cleveland-Cliffs Inc CLF from Neutral to Buy. Cleveland-Cliffs earned $1.46 in the second quarter, compared to $0.31 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Cleveland-Cliffs shows a 52-week-high of $26.51 and a 52-week-low of $7.13. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $20.76.
• Keybanc upgraded the previous rating for VICI Properties Inc VICI from Sector Weight to Overweight. In the second quarter, VICI Properties showed an EPS of $0.46, compared to $0.36 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $33.35 and a 52-week-low of $22.13. VICI Properties closed at $28.86 at the end of the last trading period.

See all analyst ratings upgrades.

Downgrades

• According to Wolfe Research, the prior rating for Delta Air Lines Inc DAL was changed from Outperform to Peer Perform. In the second quarter, Delta Air Lines showed an EPS of $1.07, compared to $4.43 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $52.28 and a 52-week-low of $28.74. At the end of the last trading period, Delta Air Lines closed at $44.74.
• According to Wolfe Research, the prior rating for Allegiant Travel Co ALGT was changed from Outperform to Peer Perform. For the second quarter, Allegiant Travel had an EPS of $3.46, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $5.96. The current stock performance of Allegiant Travel shows a 52-week-high of $271.29 and a 52-week-low of $112.71. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $201.01.
• According to Wolfe Research, the prior rating for Hawaiian Holdings Inc HA was changed from Outperform to Peer Perform. In the second quarter, Hawaiian Holdings showed an EPS of $1.44, compared to $3.81 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $31.38 and a 52-week-low of $12.51. Hawaiian Holdings closed at $22.60 at the end of the last trading period.
• According to Goldman Sachs, the prior rating for United States Steel Corp X was changed from Neutral to Sell. In the second quarter, United States Steel showed an EPS of $3.37, compared to $2.67 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $30.57 and a 52-week-low of $7.59. United States Steel closed at $22.44 at the end of the last trading period.
• According to Piper Sandler, the prior rating for AGNC Investment Corp AGNC was changed from Overweight to Neutral. AGNC Investment earned $0.76 in the second quarter, compared to $1.33 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $18.84 and a 52-week-low of $13.71. At the end of the last trading period, AGNC Investment closed at $16.05.
• For Itron Inc ITRI, Oppenheimer downgraded the previous rating of Outperform to Perform. For the second quarter, Itron had an EPS of $0.28, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.03. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $122.31 and a 52-week-low of $63.83. Itron closed at $73.95 at the end of the last trading period.
• For Vonage Holdings Corp VG, Oppenheimer downgraded the previous rating of Outperform to Perform. For the second quarter, Vonage Hldgs had an EPS of $0.05, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.04. The current stock performance of Vonage Hldgs shows a 52-week-high of $16.65 and a 52-week-low of $10.07. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $16.14.
• For Nucor Corp NUE, Goldman Sachs downgraded the previous rating of Buy to Neutral. For the second quarter, Nucor had an EPS of $5.15, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.36. The current stock performance of Nucor shows a 52-week-high of $128.81 and a 52-week-low of $46.00. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $98.70.
• Goldman Sachs downgraded the previous rating for American Airlines Group Inc AAL from Neutral to Sell. American Airlines Group earned $1.69 in the second quarter, compared to $7.82 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $26.09 and a 52-week-low of $10.63. American Airlines Group closed at $21.47 at the end of the last trading period.
• According to Goldman Sachs, the prior rating for JetBlue Airways Corp JBLU was changed from Buy to Neutral. In the second quarter, JetBlue Airways showed an EPS of $0.65, compared to $2.02 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $21.96 and a 52-week-low of $10.96. JetBlue Airways closed at $16.12 at the end of the last trading period.
• According to Oppenheimer, the prior rating for Vonage Holdings Corp VG was changed from Outperform to Perform. For the second quarter, Vonage Hldgs had an EPS of $0.05, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.04. The stock has a 52-week-high of $16.65 and a 52-week-low of $10.07. At the end of the last trading period, Vonage Hldgs closed at $16.14.
• For CDW Corp CDW, Morgan Stanley downgraded the previous rating of Overweight to Equal-Weight. CDW earned $2.02 in the second quarter, compared to $1.56 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of CDW shows a 52-week-high of $203.82 and a 52-week-low of $117.02. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $184.13.
• According to Morgan Stanley, the prior rating for Seagate Technology Holdings PLC STX was changed from Overweight to Equal-Weight. Seagate Tech Hldgs earned $2.00 in the fourth quarter, compared to $1.20 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Seagate Tech Hldgs shows a 52-week-high of $106.22 and a 52-week-low of $46.92. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $85.15.

See all analyst ratings downgrades.

Initiations

• Craig-Hallum initiated coverage on Transact Technologies Inc TACT with a Buy rating. The price target for Transact Technologies is set to $20.00. Transact Technologies earned $0.24 in the second quarter, compared to $0.25 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $17.18 and a 52-week-low of $5.10. Transact Technologies closed at $13.40 at the end of the last trading period.
• Maxim Group initiated coverage on Brooklyn ImmunoTherapeutics Inc BTX with a Buy rating. The price target for Brooklyn is set to $20.00. In the second quarter, Brooklyn earned $0.24. The current stock performance of Brooklyn shows a 52-week-high of $80.67 and a 52-week-low of $3.59. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $9.01.
• With a Buy rating, Berenberg initiated coverage on Arrival ARVL. The price target seems to have been set at $17.00 for Arrival. In the second quarter, Arrival earned $0.08. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $24.98 and a 52-week-low of $10.00. Arrival closed at $12.63 at the end of the last trading period.
• With an Overweight rating, Piper Sandler initiated coverage on Trupanion Inc TRUP. The price target seems to have been set at $110.00 for Trupanion. Trupanion earned $0.23 in the second quarter, compared to $0.04 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $126.53 and a 52-week-low of $69.74. Trupanion closed at $78.77 at the end of the last trading period.
• With a Buy rating, HC Wainwright & Co. initiated coverage on Vyant Bio Inc VYNT. The price target seems to have been set at $5.00 for Vyant Bio. Vyant Bio earned $0.14 in the second quarter, compared to $0.09 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $5.12 and a 52-week-low of $2.15. Vyant Bio closed at $2.21 at the end of the last trading period.
• With a Buy rating, Needham initiated coverage on Clarus Therapeutics Holdings Inc CRXT. The price target seems to have been set at $12.00 for Clarus Therapeutics Hldgs. At the end of the last trading period, Clarus Therapeutics Hldgs closed at $4.06.
• With a Buy rating, Loop Capital initiated coverage on Choice Hotels International Inc CHH. The price target seems to have been set at $145.00 for Choice Hotels Intl. For the second quarter, Choice Hotels Intl had an EPS of $1.22, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.13. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $135.81 and a 52-week-low of $82.59. Choice Hotels Intl closed at $132.08 at the end of the last trading period.
• Loop Capital initiated coverage on Ball Corp BLL with a Buy rating. The price target for Ball is set to $118.00. Ball earned $0.86 in the second quarter, compared to $0.65 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Ball shows a 52-week-high of $102.76 and a 52-week-low of $77.95. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $91.49.
• Loop Capital initiated coverage on Texas Roadhouse Inc TXRH with a Buy rating. The price target for Texas Roadhouse is set to $121.00. For the second quarter, Texas Roadhouse had an EPS of $1.08, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.48. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $110.75 and a 52-week-low of $63.82. Texas Roadhouse closed at $94.50 at the end of the last trading period.
• With a Buy rating, Loop Capital initiated coverage on McDonald's Corp MCD. The price target seems to have been set at $306.00 for McDonald's. McDonald's earned $2.37 in the second quarter, compared to $0.66 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of McDonald's shows a 52-week-high of $248.90 and a 52-week-low of $202.73. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $245.22.
• Loop Capital initiated coverage on Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc CBRL with a Hold rating. The price target for Cracker Barrel Old is set to $140.00. In the fourth quarter, Cracker Barrel Old showed an EPS of $2.25, compared to $0.85 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $178.82 and a 52-week-low of $106.92. Cracker Barrel Old closed at $142.88 at the end of the last trading period.
• With a Hold rating, Loop Capital initiated coverage on Hyatt Hotels Corp H. The price target seems to have been set at $80.00 for Hyatt Hotels. For the second quarter, Hyatt Hotels had an EPS of $1.15, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.80. The current stock performance of Hyatt Hotels shows a 52-week-high of $92.22 and a 52-week-low of $51.72. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $82.09.
• For Domino's Pizza Inc DPZ, Loop Capital initiated coverage, by setting the current rating at Buy. Domino's Pizza earned $3.12 in the second quarter, compared to $2.99 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $548.72 and a 52-week-low of $319.71. Domino's Pizza closed at $474.62 at the end of the last trading period.
• Loop Capital initiated coverage on Marriott International Inc MAR with a Hold rating. The price target for Marriott Intl is set to $150.00. In the second quarter, Marriott Intl showed an EPS of $0.79, compared to $0.64 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Marriott Intl shows a 52-week-high of $159.98 and a 52-week-low of $88.92. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $155.44.
• With a Hold rating, Loop Capital initiated coverage on Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc CMG. The price target seems to have been set at $1800.00 for Chipotle Mexican Grill. Chipotle Mexican Grill earned $7.46 in the second quarter, compared to $0.40 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $1958.55 and a 52-week-low of $1172.29. At the end of the last trading period, Chipotle Mexican Grill closed at $1830.12.
• With a Hold rating, Loop Capital initiated coverage on Yum Brands Inc YUM. The price target seems to have been set at $120.00 for Yum Brands. For the second quarter, Yum Brands had an EPS of $1.16, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.82. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $135.77 and a 52-week-low of $91.83. Yum Brands closed at $123.60 at the end of the last trading period.
• Loop Capital initiated coverage on Restaurant Brands International Inc QSR with a Hold rating. The price target for Restaurant Brands Intl is set to $65.00. In the second quarter, Restaurant Brands Intl showed an EPS of $0.77, compared to $0.33 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $71.12 and a 52-week-low of $51.12. At the end of the last trading period, Restaurant Brands Intl closed at $61.68.
• With an Overweight rating, Stephens & Co. initiated coverage on Noodles & Co NDLS. The price target seems to have been set at $18.00 for Noodles. For the second quarter, Noodles had an EPS of $0.10, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.18. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $13.55 and a 52-week-low of $6.25. Noodles closed at $12.28 at the end of the last trading period.

See all analyst ratings initiations.