Benzinga's Top Ratings Upgrades, Downgrades For October 29, 2021

Upgrades

For Preferred Bank PFBC, Stephens & Co. upgraded the previous rating of Equal-Weight to Overweight. In the third quarter, Preferred Bank showed an EPS of $1.76, compared to $1.15 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $71.41 and a 52-week-low of $32.87. At the end of the last trading period, Preferred Bank closed at $67.46.
Citigroup upgraded the previous rating for Consolidated Communications Holdings Inc CNSL from Sell to Neutral. For the third quarter, Consolidated Comms Hldgs had an EPS of $0.18, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.23. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $9.89 and a 52-week-low of $4.45. Consolidated Comms Hldgs closed at $7.52 at the end of the last trading period.
For Agilysys Inc AGYS, Maxim Group upgraded the previous rating of Hold to Buy. In the second quarter, Agilysys showed an EPS of $0.18, compared to $0.29 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $64.09 and a 52-week-low of $25.38. At the end of the last trading period, Agilysys closed at $42.82.
According to Benchmark, the prior rating for Peabody Energy Corp BTU was changed from Hold to Buy. In the third quarter, Peabody Energy showed an EPS of $0.38, compared to $0.69 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $19.83 and a 52-week-low of $0.80. Peabody Energy closed at $12.02 at the end of the last trading period.
For Xcel Energy Inc XEL, B of A Securities upgraded the previous rating of Neutral to Buy. Xcel Energy earned $1.13 in the third quarter, compared to $1.14 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Xcel Energy shows a 52-week-high of $76.44 and a 52-week-low of $57.23. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $64.33.
Citigroup upgraded the previous rating for Royalty Pharma PLC RPRX from Neutral to Buy. Royalty Pharma earned $0.73 in the second quarter, compared to $0.99 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Royalty Pharma shows a 52-week-high of $53.23 and a 52-week-low of $34.80. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $38.20.
For Horizon Bancorp (IN) HBNC, Raymond James upgraded the previous rating of Outperform to Strong Buy. In the third quarter, Horizon Bancorp showed an EPS of $0.52, compared to $0.45 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Horizon Bancorp shows a 52-week-high of $20.17 and a 52-week-low of $11.75. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $18.48.
For Silicon Motion Technology Corp SIMO, Susquehanna upgraded the previous rating of Neutral to Positive. Silicon Motion Technology earned $1.70 in the third quarter, compared to $0.76 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $81.87 and a 52-week-low of $35.16. Silicon Motion Technology closed at $69.72 at the end of the last trading period.
Citigroup upgraded the previous rating for Synchrony Financial SYF from Neutral to Buy. Synchrony Finl earned $2.00 in the third quarter, compared to $0.63 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $52.49 and a 52-week-low of $24.47. Synchrony Finl closed at $46.87 at the end of the last trading period.
According to Morgan Stanley, the prior rating for Driven Brands Holdings Inc DRVN was changed from Equal-Weight to Overweight. For the third quarter, Driven Brands Holdings had an EPS of $0.26, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.20. The current stock performance of Driven Brands Holdings shows a 52-week-high of $35.56 and a 52-week-low of $22.26. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $30.54.
According to Barclays, the prior rating for Visteon Corp VC was changed from Equal-Weight to Overweight. For the third quarter, Visteon had an EPS of $0.18, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.36. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $147.55 and a 52-week-low of $82.30. Visteon closed at $111.15 at the end of the last trading period.
RBC Capital upgraded the previous rating for Brunswick Corp BC from Sector Perform to Outperform. For the third quarter, Brunswick had an EPS of $2.07, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.80. The current stock performance of Brunswick shows a 52-week-high of $117.62 and a 52-week-low of $61.00. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $93.80.
UBS upgraded the previous rating for Caterpillar Inc CAT from Neutral to Buy. Caterpillar earned $2.66 in the third quarter, compared to $1.34 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $246.69 and a 52-week-low of $149.63. At the end of the last trading period, Caterpillar closed at $204.09.
According to Guggenheim, the prior rating for argenx SE ARGX was changed from Neutral to Buy. For the third quarter, argenx had an EPS of $4.40, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $3.96. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $382.15 and a 52-week-low of $245.91. argenx closed at $280.83 at the end of the last trading period.
For Suncor Energy Inc SU, JP Morgan upgraded the previous rating of Neutral to Overweight. In the third quarter, Suncor Energy showed an EPS of $0.56, compared to $0.15 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $25.99 and a 52-week-low of $10.67. At the end of the last trading period, Suncor Energy closed at $25.91.
According to JP Morgan, the prior rating for Alteryx Inc AYX was changed from Underweight to Neutral. Alteryx earned $0.08 in the second quarter, compared to $0.02 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Alteryx shows a 52-week-high of $145.41 and a 52-week-low of $66.66. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $69.77.

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Downgrades

Northland Capital Markets downgraded the previous rating for SPS Commerce Inc SPSC from Outperform to Market Perform. SPS Commerce earned $0.47 in the third quarter, compared to $0.39 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $174.42 and a 52-week-low of $82.11. SPS Commerce closed at $173.12 at the end of the last trading period.
Morgan Stanley downgraded the previous rating for Futu Holdings Ltd FUTU from Overweight to Equal-Weight. For the second quarter, Futu Holdings had an EPS of $0.45, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.24. The current stock performance of Futu Holdings shows a 52-week-high of $204.25 and a 52-week-low of $29.30. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $58.47.
According to Needham, the prior rating for Monolithic Power Systems Inc MPWR was changed from Buy to Hold. In the third quarter, Monolithic Power Systems showed an EPS of $2.06, compared to $1.69 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Monolithic Power Systems shows a 52-week-high of $551.50 and a 52-week-low of $296.21. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $549.71.
According to Vertical Research, the prior rating for Northrop Grumman Corp NOC was changed from Buy to Hold. In the third quarter, Northrop Grumman showed an EPS of $6.63, compared to $5.89 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Northrop Grumman shows a 52-week-high of $408.03 and a 52-week-low of $282.88. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $358.64.
For The Hershey Co HSY, Citigroup downgraded the previous rating of Buy to Neutral. Hershey earned $2.10 in the third quarter, compared to $1.86 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Hershey shows a 52-week-high of $182.71 and a 52-week-low of $135.83. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $179.40.
B of A Securities downgraded the previous rating for Werner Enterprises Inc WERN from Buy to Neutral. Werner Enterprises earned $0.79 in the third quarter, compared to $0.69 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $49.76 and a 52-week-low of $35.15. At the end of the last trading period, Werner Enterprises closed at $47.88.
According to B of A Securities, the prior rating for Zendesk Inc ZEN was changed from Buy to Neutral. Zendesk earned $0.17 in the third quarter, compared to $0.17 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $166.60 and a 52-week-low of $103.28. Zendesk closed at $119.01 at the end of the last trading period.
For Altria Group Inc MO, Morgan Stanley downgraded the previous rating of Overweight to Equal-Weight. In the third quarter, Altria Group showed an EPS of $1.22, compared to $1.19 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Altria Group shows a 52-week-high of $52.59 and a 52-week-low of $35.83. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $44.58.
Barclays downgraded the previous rating for Annaly Capital Management Inc NLY from Overweight to Equal-Weight. For the third quarter, Annaly Capital Management had an EPS of $0.28, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.32. The stock has a 52-week-high of $9.64 and a 52-week-low of $6.92. At the end of the last trading period, Annaly Capital Management closed at $8.57.
For Starbucks Corp SBUX, Stifel downgraded the previous rating of Buy to Hold. In the fourth quarter, Starbucks showed an EPS of $1.00, compared to $0.51 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $126.32 and a 52-week-low of $85.45. Starbucks closed at $113.20 at the end of the last trading period.
For Zendesk Inc ZEN, Piper Sandler downgraded the previous rating of Overweight to Neutral. Zendesk earned $0.17 in the third quarter, compared to $0.17 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Zendesk shows a 52-week-high of $166.60 and a 52-week-low of $103.28. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $119.01.
Jefferies downgraded the previous rating for Zendesk Inc ZEN from Buy to Hold. Zendesk earned $0.17 in the third quarter, compared to $0.17 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $166.60 and a 52-week-low of $103.28. At the end of the last trading period, Zendesk closed at $119.01.
According to JP Morgan, the prior rating for Frontdoor Inc FTDR was changed from Overweight to Neutral. In the third quarter, Frontdoor showed an EPS of $0.91, compared to $0.59 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $58.94 and a 52-week-low of $38.77. Frontdoor closed at $41.82 at the end of the last trading period.
According to Seaport Global, the prior rating for Plains All American Pipeline LP PAA was changed from Buy to Neutral. Plains All American earned $0.23 in the second quarter, compared to $0.25 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $12.38 and a 52-week-low of $5.64. At the end of the last trading period, Plains All American closed at $10.24.

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Initiations

With an Overweight rating, Cantor Fitzgerald initiated coverage on Immunome Inc IMNM. The price target seems to have been set at $35.00 for Immunome. Interestingly, in the second quarter, Immunome's EPS was $0.46. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $63.78 and a 52-week-low of $9.28. Immunome closed at $22.85 at the end of the last trading period.
Maxim Group initiated coverage on Protagenic Therapeutics Inc PTIX with a Buy rating. The price target for Protagenic Therapeutics is set to $4.00. Protagenic Therapeutics earned $0.11 in the second quarter, compared to $0.06 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Protagenic Therapeutics shows a 52-week-high of $4.89 and a 52-week-low of $1.05. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $1.80.
Cowen & Co. initiated coverage on Humacyte Inc HUMA with an Outperform rating. The price target for Humacyte is set to $17.00. Humacyte closed at $8.68 at the end of the last trading period.
With a Buy rating, Truist Securities initiated coverage on ACV Auctions Inc ACVA. The price target seems to have been set at $30.00 for ACV Auctions. In the second quarter, ACV Auctions earned $0.06. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $37.77 and a 52-week-low of $16.15. ACV Auctions closed at $19.26 at the end of the last trading period.
With a Buy rating, HC Wainwright & Co. initiated coverage on Xeris Biopharma Holdings Inc XERS. The price target seems to have been set at $4.00 for Xeris Biopharma Holdings. For the second quarter, Xeris Biopharma Holdings had an EPS of $0.41, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.63. The stock has a 52-week-high of $7.94 and a 52-week-low of $1.77. At the end of the last trading period, Xeris Biopharma Holdings closed at $1.80.
Evercore ISI Group initiated coverage on Zoom Video Communications Inc ZM with an In-Line rating. The price target for Zoom Video Communications is set to $255.00. For the second quarter, Zoom Video Communications had an EPS of $1.36, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.92. The current stock performance of Zoom Video Communications shows a 52-week-high of $553.86 and a 52-week-low of $250.11. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $276.58.
BTIG initiated coverage on Sigilon Therapeutics Inc SGTX with a Buy rating. The price target for Sigilon Therapeutics is set to $14.00. Sigilon Therapeutics earned $0.65 in the second quarter, compared to $2.54 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Sigilon Therapeutics shows a 52-week-high of $54.32 and a 52-week-low of $4.33. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $5.38.
With a Perform rating, Oppenheimer initiated coverage on Gladstone Land Corp LAND. The price target seems to have been set at $24.00 for Gladstone Land. For the second quarter, Gladstone Land had an EPS of $0.13, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.10. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $26.04 and a 52-week-low of $13.55. Gladstone Land closed at $23.04 at the end of the last trading period.
With an Outperform rating, Oppenheimer initiated coverage on Compass Pathways PLC CMPS. The price target seems to have been set at $50.00 for Compass Pathways. Compass Pathways earned $0.44 in the second quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $61.69 and a 52-week-low of $28.58. Compass Pathways closed at $40.04 at the end of the last trading period.
Piper Sandler initiated coverage on CS Disco Inc LAW with an Overweight rating. The price target for CS Disco is set to $61.00. CS Disco earned $0.16 in the second quarter, compared to $0.38 in the year-ago quarter. CS Disco closed at $53.74 at the end of the last trading period.