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

Upgrades

For CarMax Inc KMX, JP Morgan upgraded the previous rating of Neutral to Overweight. For the second quarter, CarMax had an EPS of $1.72, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.79. The stock has a 52-week-high of $155.98 and a 52-week-low of $90.30. At the end of the last trading period, CarMax closed at $144.50.
According to Evercore ISI Group, the prior rating for RPM International Inc RPM was changed from In-Line to Outperform. In the first quarter, RPM International showed an EPS of $1.08, compared to $1.44 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of RPM International shows a 52-week-high of $99.30 and a 52-week-low of $76.43. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $95.43.
According to Evercore ISI Group, the prior rating for PPG Industries Inc PPG was changed from In-Line to Outperform. In the third quarter, PPG Industries showed an EPS of $1.69, compared to $1.93 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $182.97 and a 52-week-low of $132.10. At the end of the last trading period, PPG Industries closed at $164.43.
Evercore ISI Group upgraded the previous rating for Restaurant Brands International Inc QSR from In-Line to Outperform. For the third quarter, Restaurant Brands Intl had an EPS of $0.76, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.68. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $71.12 and a 52-week-low of $54.18. Restaurant Brands Intl closed at $57.54 at the end of the last trading period.
Macquarie upgraded the previous rating for Digital Turbine Inc APPS from Neutral to Outperform. For the second quarter, Digital Turbine had an EPS of $0.44, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.15. The stock has a 52-week-high of $102.56 and a 52-week-low of $39.40. At the end of the last trading period, Digital Turbine closed at $49.80.
For Global Blood Therapeutics Inc GBT, William Blair upgraded the previous rating of Market Perform to Outperform. For the third quarter, Global Blood Therapeutics had an EPS of $1.13, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.97. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $52.49 and a 52-week-low of $25.11. Global Blood Therapeutics closed at $28.17 at the end of the last trading period.
MKM Partners upgraded the previous rating for Starbucks Corp SBUX from Neutral to Buy. In the fourth quarter, Starbucks showed an EPS of $1.00, compared to $0.51 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Starbucks shows a 52-week-high of $126.32 and a 52-week-low of $95.92. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $113.36.
For Murphy Oil Corp MUR, JP Morgan upgraded the previous rating of Neutral to Overweight. For the third quarter, Murphy Oil had an EPS of $0.24, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.15. The stock has a 52-week-high of $31.00 and a 52-week-low of $11.15. At the end of the last trading period, Murphy Oil closed at $27.41.
According to Raymond James, the prior rating for PLx Pharma Inc PLXP was changed from Market Perform to Outperform. In the third quarter, PLx Pharma showed an EPS of $0.37, compared to $0.40 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $21.50 and a 52-week-low of $5.01. PLx Pharma closed at $8.21 at the end of the last trading period.
For Cerence Inc CRNC, Raymond James upgraded the previous rating of Market Perform to Outperform. For the fourth quarter, Cerence had an EPS of $0.66, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.61. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $139.00 and a 52-week-low of $66.56. Cerence closed at $71.97 at the end of the last trading period.
According to Morgan Stanley, the prior rating for Patterson-UTI Energy Inc PTEN was changed from Equal-Weight to Overweight. Patterson-UTI Energy earned $0.44 in the third quarter, compared to $0.60 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $11.27 and a 52-week-low of $4.89. Patterson-UTI Energy closed at $7.68 at the end of the last trading period.
JP Morgan upgraded the previous rating for Bumble Inc BMBL from Neutral to Overweight. Bumble earned $0.06 in the third quarter, compared to $0.01 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $84.80 and a 52-week-low of $30.10. At the end of the last trading period, Bumble closed at $33.25.
Jefferies upgraded the previous rating for CommScope Holding Co Inc COMM from Hold to Buy. In the third quarter, CommScope Hldg Co showed an EPS of $0.29, compared to $0.51 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of CommScope Hldg Co shows a 52-week-high of $22.18 and a 52-week-low of $9.25. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $10.22.
Jefferies upgraded the previous rating for Juniper Networks Inc JNPR from Hold to Buy. For the third quarter, Juniper Networks had an EPS of $0.46, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.43. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $33.02 and a 52-week-low of $21.40. Juniper Networks closed at $31.45 at the end of the last trading period.
For CVR Energy Inc CVI, Credit Suisse upgraded the previous rating of Underperform to Neutral. CVR Energy earned $0.24 in the third quarter, compared to $0.57 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of CVR Energy shows a 52-week-high of $27.02 and a 52-week-low of $11.22. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $16.28.
For Jack In The Box Inc JACK, Deutsche Bank upgraded the previous rating of Hold to Buy. In the fourth quarter, Jack In The Box showed an EPS of $1.80, compared to $1.61 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $124.53 and a 52-week-low of $77.13. At the end of the last trading period, Jack In The Box closed at $80.55.

See all analyst ratings upgrades.

Downgrades

Evercore ISI Group downgraded the previous rating for Air Products & Chemicals Inc APD from Outperform to In-Line. For the fourth quarter, Air Products & Chemicals had an EPS of $2.51, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $2.19. The current stock performance of Air Products & Chemicals shows a 52-week-high of $316.39 and a 52-week-low of $245.75. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $292.89.
For Merck & Co Inc MRK, Guggenheim downgraded the previous rating of Buy to Neutral. For the third quarter, Merck & Co had an EPS of $1.75, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.74. The stock has a 52-week-high of $91.40 and a 52-week-low of $15.32. At the end of the last trading period, Merck & Co closed at $73.42.
For Del Taco Restaurants Inc TACO, Benchmark downgraded the previous rating of Buy to Hold. Del Taco Restaurants earned $0.11 in the third quarter, compared to $0.16 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $12.54 and a 52-week-low of $7.34. At the end of the last trading period, Del Taco Restaurants closed at $12.51.
According to Raymond James, the prior rating for HealthEquity Inc HQY was changed from Strong Buy to Outperform. For the third quarter, HealthEquity had an EPS of $0.35, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.41. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $93.32 and a 52-week-low of $53.60. HealthEquity closed at $56.67 at the end of the last trading period.
According to Cowen & Co., the prior rating for Ross Stores Inc ROST was changed from Outperform to Market Perform. In the third quarter, Ross Stores showed an EPS of $1.09, compared to $1.02 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $134.22 and a 52-week-low of $104.79. At the end of the last trading period, Ross Stores closed at $112.68.
According to JP Morgan, the prior rating for CNX Resources Corp CNX was changed from Overweight to Neutral. CNX Resources earned $0.74 in the third quarter, compared to $0.04 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $16.08 and a 52-week-low of $9.02. CNX Resources closed at $13.77 at the end of the last trading period.
JP Morgan downgraded the previous rating for Magnolia Oil & Gas Corp MGY from Overweight to Neutral. For the third quarter, Magnolia Oil & Gas had an EPS of $0.67, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.06. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $22.09 and a 52-week-low of $6.94. Magnolia Oil & Gas closed at $19.58 at the end of the last trading period.
For Del Taco Restaurants Inc TACO, Jefferies downgraded the previous rating of Buy to Hold. In the third quarter, Del Taco Restaurants showed an EPS of $0.11, compared to $0.16 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $12.54 and a 52-week-low of $7.34. Del Taco Restaurants closed at $12.51 at the end of the last trading period.
Morgan Stanley downgraded the previous rating for Helmerich & Payne Inc HP from Equal-Weight to Underweight. Helmerich & Payne earned $0.62 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.74 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $36.26 and a 52-week-low of $20.93. At the end of the last trading period, Helmerich & Payne closed at $22.31.
For AstraZeneca PLC AZN, Jefferies downgraded the previous rating of Buy to Hold. AstraZeneca earned $0.54 in the third quarter, compared to $0.47 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of AstraZeneca shows a 52-week-high of $64.21 and a 52-week-low of $46.48. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $55.41.

See all analyst ratings downgrades.

Initiations

With a Hold rating, CBRE initiated coverage on DraftKings Inc DKNG. The price target seems to have been set at $36.00 for DraftKings. DraftKings earned $1.35 in the third quarter, compared to $0.98 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $74.38 and a 52-week-low of $27.48. DraftKings closed at $30.68 at the end of the last trading period.
Aegis Capital initiated coverage on Chemomab Therapeutics Ltd CMMB with a Buy rating. The price target for Chemomab Therapeutics is set to $30.00. For the third quarter, Chemomab Therapeutics had an EPS of $0.01, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.01. The stock has a 52-week-high of $79.00 and a 52-week-low of $6.89. At the end of the last trading period, Chemomab Therapeutics closed at $7.43.
With a Neutral rating, UBS initiated coverage on Janus International Group Inc JBI. The price target seems to have been set at $14.00 for Janus Intl Gr. In the third quarter, Janus Intl Gr showed an EPS of $0.11, compared to $0.35 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $15.94 and a 52-week-low of $11.60. At the end of the last trading period, Janus Intl Gr closed at $12.29.
Needham initiated coverage on DocGo Inc DCGO with a Buy rating. The price target for DocGo is set to $14.00.
Jefferies initiated coverage on Vaxxinity Inc VAXX with a Buy rating. The price target for Vaxxinity is set to $18.00.
Citigroup initiated coverage on Embark Technology Inc EMBK with a Buy rating. The price target for Embark Technology is set to $11.00.
For Fate Therapeutics Inc FATE, Cowen & Co. initiated coverage, by setting the current rating at Outperform. Fate Therapeutics earned $0.45 in the third quarter, compared to $0.68 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Fate Therapeutics shows a 52-week-high of $121.16 and a 52-week-low of $44.99. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $47.84.
With an Outperform rating, Wolfe Research initiated coverage on XPO Logistics Inc XPO. The price target seems to have been set at $101.00 for XPO Logistics. XPO Logistics earned $0.94 in the third quarter, compared to $0.84 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $153.45 and a 52-week-low of $70.29. XPO Logistics closed at $75.48 at the end of the last trading period.
Wells Fargo initiated coverage on The Scotts Miracle Gro Co SMG with an Overweight rating. The price target for Scotts Miracle Gro is set to $180.00. In the fourth quarter, Scotts Miracle Gro showed an EPS of $0.82, compared to $0.06 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Scotts Miracle Gro shows a 52-week-high of $254.34 and a 52-week-low of $133.36. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $138.82.
With a Hold rating, Stifel initiated coverage on Equity Residential EQR. The price target seems to have been set at $93.00 for Equity Residential. Equity Residential earned $0.77 in the third quarter, compared to $0.77 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Equity Residential shows a 52-week-high of $88.09 and a 52-week-low of $56.08. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $86.16.
Benchmark initiated coverage on Chart Industries Inc GTLS with a Buy rating. The price target for Chart Industries is set to $206.00. In the third quarter, Chart Industries showed an EPS of $0.81, compared to $0.80 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $206.29 and a 52-week-low of $103.77. At the end of the last trading period, Chart Industries closed at $166.42.
Baird initiated coverage on Fluence Energy Inc FLNC with an Outperform rating. The price target for Fluence Energy is set to $44.00.
B. Riley Securities initiated coverage on Journey Medical Corp DERM with a Buy rating. The price target for Journey Medical is set to $14.00. In the third quarter, Journey Medical showed an EPS of $1.06, compared to $1.58 from the year-ago quarter.
With an Outperform rating, Bernstein initiated coverage on CNH Industrial NV CNHI. The price target seems to have been set at $20.35 for CNH Industrial. In the third quarter, CNH Industrial showed an EPS of $0.36, compared to $0.11 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of CNH Industrial shows a 52-week-high of $19.22 and a 52-week-low of $10.79. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $17.49.
JP Morgan initiated coverage on Columbus McKinnon Corp CMCO with an Overweight rating. The price target for Columbus McKinnon is set to $64.00. For the second quarter, Columbus McKinnon had an EPS of $0.74, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.34. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $57.06 and a 52-week-low of $37.34. Columbus McKinnon closed at $45.99 at the end of the last trading period.
With an Underweight rating, Wells Fargo initiated coverage on Canopy Growth Corp CGC. The price target seems to have been set at $8.00 for Canopy Gwth. In the second quarter, Canopy Gwth showed an EPS of $0.02, compared to $0.22 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $56.50 and a 52-week-low of $9.54. Canopy Gwth closed at $10.15 at the end of the last trading period.
Loop Capital initiated coverage on Zimmer Biomet Holdings Inc ZBH with a Buy rating. The price target for Zimmer Biomet Holdings is set to $165.00. In the third quarter, Zimmer Biomet Holdings showed an EPS of $1.81, compared to $1.81 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $180.36 and a 52-week-low of $119.55. At the end of the last trading period, Zimmer Biomet Holdings closed at $125.49.
Loop Capital initiated coverage on Stryker Corp SYK with a Buy rating. The price target for Stryker is set to $305.00. In the third quarter, Stryker showed an EPS of $2.20, compared to $2.14 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $281.16 and a 52-week-low of $220.90. Stryker closed at $254.41 at the end of the last trading period.
Cowen & Co. initiated coverage on Moderna Inc MRNA with a Market Perform rating. The price target for Moderna is set to $250.00. In the third quarter, Moderna showed an EPS of $7.70, compared to $0.59 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Moderna shows a 52-week-high of $497.49 and a 52-week-low of $102.66. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $265.33.
For CRISPR Therapeutics AG CRSP, Cowen & Co. initiated coverage, by setting the current rating at Market Perform. In the third quarter, CRISPR Therapeutics showed an EPS of $1.67, compared to $1.32 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $220.20 and a 52-week-low of $67.15. At the end of the last trading period, CRISPR Therapeutics closed at $71.12.
For Turning Point Therapeutics Inc TPTX, Cowen & Co. initiated coverage, by setting the current rating at Outperform. For the third quarter, Turning Point had an EPS of $1.34, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.42. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $141.30 and a 52-week-low of $34.58. Turning Point closed at $35.48 at the end of the last trading period.
Cowen & Co. initiated coverage on Arvinas Inc ARVN with an Outperform rating. Arvinas earned $0.94 in the third quarter, compared to $0.79 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Arvinas shows a 52-week-high of $108.47 and a 52-week-low of $25.00. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $75.65.