Benzinga's Top Ratings Upgrades, Downgrades For December 6, 2022

Upgrades

According to Argus Research, the prior rating for United Airlines Holdings Inc UAL was changed from Hold to Buy. United Airlines Holdings earned $2.81 in the third quarter, compared to $1.02 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $53.12 and a 52-week-low of $30.54. United Airlines Holdings closed at $45.03 at the end of the last trading period.

According to Edward Jones, the prior rating for Activision Blizzard Inc ATVI was changed from Hold to Buy. For the third quarter, Activision Blizzard had an EPS of $0.68, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.72. The stock has a 52-week-high of $86.90 and a 52-week-low of $56.40. At the end of the last trading period, Activision Blizzard closed at $76.33.

Oppenheimer upgraded the previous rating for General Electric Co GE from Perform to Outperform. In the third quarter, General Electric showed an EPS of $0.35, compared to $0.57 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $103.73 and a 52-week-low of $59.93. At the end of the last trading period, General Electric closed at $84.66.

For PennyMac Financial Services Inc PFSI, Wells Fargo upgraded the previous rating of Equal-Weight to Overweight. NoneThe current stock performance of PennyMac Financial Servs shows a 52-week-high of $71.52 and a 52-week-low of $38.53. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $57.09.

Deutsche Bank upgraded the previous rating for The Estee Lauder Companies Inc EL from Hold to Buy. NoneAt the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $374.20 and a 52-week-low of $186.47. Estee Lauder Cos closed at $231.47 at the end of the last trading period.

For JPMorgan Chase & Co JPM, Morgan Stanley upgraded the previous rating of Underweight to Overweight. In the third quarter, JPMorgan Chase showed an EPS of $3.12, compared to $3.74 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of JPMorgan Chase shows a 52-week-high of $169.81 and a 52-week-low of $101.28. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $131.37.

Cowen & Co. upgraded the previous rating for PerkinElmer Inc PKI from Market Perform to Outperform. In the third quarter, PerkinElmer showed an EPS of $1.51, compared to $2.31 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $203.16 and a 52-week-low of $113.46. PerkinElmer closed at $136.94 at the end of the last trading period.

According to RBC Capital, the prior rating for Reinsurance Group of America Inc RGA was changed from Sector Perform to Outperform. For the third quarter, Reinsurance Group had an EPS of $5.20, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.11. The current stock performance of Reinsurance Group shows a 52-week-high of $148.75 and a 52-week-low of $96.83. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $139.23.

See all analyst ratings upgrades.

Downgrades

For Kimberly-Clark Corp KMB, Deutsche Bank downgraded the previous rating of Hold to Sell. In the third quarter, Kimberly-Clark showed an EPS of $1.40, compared to $1.62 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $145.79 and a 52-week-low of $108.74. At the end of the last trading period, Kimberly-Clark closed at $137.17.

GLJ Research downgraded the previous rating for First Solar Inc FSLR from Buy to Sell. First Solar earned $0.46 in the third quarter, compared to $0.42 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of First Solar shows a 52-week-high of $173.68 and a 52-week-low of $59.60. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $167.14.

According to Morgan Stanley, the prior rating for SVB Financial Group SIVB was changed from Equal-Weight to Underweight. In the third quarter, SVB Finl Gr showed an EPS of $7.21, compared to $6.24 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $752.68 and a 52-week-low of $204.37. At the end of the last trading period, SVB Finl Gr closed at $209.24.

According to Morgan Stanley, the prior rating for First Republic Bank FRC was changed from Equal-Weight to Underweight. First Republic Bank earned $2.21 in the third quarter, compared to $1.91 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $217.27 and a 52-week-low of $106.86. First Republic Bank closed at $119.97 at the end of the last trading period.

BTIG downgraded the previous rating for Radian Group Inc RDN from Buy to Neutral. For the third quarter, Radian Group had an EPS of $1.31, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.67. The stock has a 52-week-high of $24.84 and a 52-week-low of $17.97. At the end of the last trading period, Radian Group closed at $18.44.

For NMI Holdings Inc NMIH, BTIG downgraded the previous rating of Buy to Neutral. NMI Holdings earned $0.90 in the third quarter, compared to $0.71 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $27.25 and a 52-week-low of $15.33. At the end of the last trading period, NMI Holdings closed at $19.84.

BTIG downgraded the previous rating for BrightSpire Capital Inc BRSP from Buy to Neutral. In the third quarter, BrightSpire Capital showed an EPS of $0.25, compared to $0.26 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $10.42 and a 52-week-low of $6.13. At the end of the last trading period, BrightSpire Capital closed at $6.98.

According to Cantor Fitzgerald, the prior rating for Anavex Life Sciences Corp AVXL was changed from Overweight to Neutral. Anavex Life Sciences earned $0.18 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.15 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Anavex Life Sciences shows a 52-week-high of $20.24 and a 52-week-low of $7.13. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $9.58.

According to Morgan Stanley, the prior rating for Bank of New York Mellon Corp BK was changed from Equal-Weight to Underweight. In the third quarter, Bank of New York Mellon showed an EPS of $1.21, compared to $1.04 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $64.63 and a 52-week-low of $36.22. At the end of the last trading period, Bank of New York Mellon closed at $44.04.

According to BMO Capital, the prior rating for SL Green Realty Corp SLG was changed from Outperform to Market Perform. For the third quarter, SL Green Realty had an EPS of $1.66, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.78. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $83.96 and a 52-week-low of $35.77. SL Green Realty closed at $38.06 at the end of the last trading period.

According to Janney Montgomery Scott, the prior rating for Salisbury Bancorp Inc SAL was changed from Buy to Neutral. In the third quarter, Salisbury Bancorp showed an EPS of $0.75, compared to $0.60 from the year-ago quarter.

For New Gold Inc NGD, TD Securities downgraded the previous rating of Hold to Reduce. For the third quarter, New Gold had an EPS of $0.02, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.03. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $2.02 and a 52-week-low of $0.61. New Gold closed at $1.15 at the end of the last trading period.

Oppenheimer downgraded the previous rating for Snap-on Inc SNA from Outperform to Perform. Snap-on earned $4.14 in the third quarter, compared to $3.57 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $245.56 and a 52-week-low of $190.08. At the end of the last trading period, Snap-on closed at $239.68.

Oppenheimer downgraded the previous rating for TE Connectivity Ltd TEL from Outperform to Perform. TE Connectivity earned $1.88 in the fourth quarter, compared to $1.69 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $165.81 and a 52-week-low of $104.76. At the end of the last trading period, TE Connectivity closed at $123.95.

Oppenheimer downgraded the previous rating for Eaton Corp PLC ETN from Outperform to Perform. For the third quarter, Eaton Corp had an EPS of $2.02, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.75. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $174.47 and a 52-week-low of $122.50. Eaton Corp closed at $160.36 at the end of the last trading period.

HC Wainwright & Co. downgraded the previous rating for Oncorus Inc ONCR from Buy to Neutral. Oncorus earned $0.76 in the third quarter, compared to $0.65 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Oncorus shows a 52-week-high of $6.08 and a 52-week-low of $0.41. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $0.44.

According to Deutsche Bank, the prior rating for General Mills Inc GIS was changed from Buy to Hold. In the first quarter, General Mills showed an EPS of $1.11, compared to $0.99 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $86.73 and a 52-week-low of $61.67. At the end of the last trading period, General Mills closed at $86.30.

According to Deutsche Bank, the prior rating for Spectrum Brands Holdings Inc SPB was changed from Buy to Hold. In the fourth quarter, Spectrum Brands Holdings showed an EPS of $0.48, compared to $1.11 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Spectrum Brands Holdings shows a 52-week-high of $104.38 and a 52-week-low of $38.93. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $62.19.

According to Deutsche Bank, the prior rating for Boston Beer Co Inc SAM was changed from Hold to Sell. For the third quarter, Boston Beer Co had an EPS of $3.82, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $2.97. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $547.71 and a 52-week-low of $287.00. Boston Beer Co closed at $379.70 at the end of the last trading period.

Deutsche Bank downgraded the previous rating for Molson Coors Beverage Co TAP from Hold to Sell. In the third quarter, Molson Coors Beverage showed an EPS of $1.32, compared to $1.75 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $60.12 and a 52-week-low of $42.60. Molson Coors Beverage closed at $54.50 at the end of the last trading period.

For Conagra Brands Inc CAG, Deutsche Bank downgraded the previous rating of Hold to Sell. Conagra Brands earned $0.57 in the first quarter, compared to $0.50 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Conagra Brands shows a 52-week-high of $38.30 and a 52-week-low of $30.06. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $38.25.

Deutsche Bank downgraded the previous rating for Flowers Foods Inc FLO from Hold to Sell. Flowers Foods earned $0.30 in the third quarter, compared to $0.30 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $30.16 and a 52-week-low of $24.15. At the end of the last trading period, Flowers Foods closed at $30.13.

For State Street Corporation STT, Morgan Stanley downgraded the previous rating of Overweight to Equal-Weight. For the third quarter, State Street had an EPS of $1.82, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $2.00. The current stock performance of State Street shows a 52-week-high of $104.87 and a 52-week-low of $58.62. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $76.24.

BTIG downgraded the previous rating for MEI Pharma Inc MEIP from Buy to Neutral. In the first quarter, MEI Pharma showed an EPS of $0.13, compared to $0.18 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $2.86 and a 52-week-low of $0.28. MEI Pharma closed at $0.39 at the end of the last trading period.

RBC Capital downgraded the previous rating for Equitable Holdings Inc EQH from Outperform to Sector Perform. For the third quarter, Equitable Holdings had an EPS of $1.28, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.94. The current stock performance of Equitable Holdings shows a 52-week-high of $37.13 and a 52-week-low of $24.61. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $31.03.

For SL Green Realty Corp SLG, Scotiabank downgraded the previous rating of Sector Perform to Sector Underperform. SL Green Realty earned $1.66 in the third quarter, compared to $1.78 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $83.96 and a 52-week-low of $35.77. At the end of the last trading period, SL Green Realty closed at $38.06.

According to Truist Securities, the prior rating for MEI Pharma Inc MEIP was changed from Buy to Hold. In the first quarter, MEI Pharma showed an EPS of $0.13, compared to $0.18 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $2.86 and a 52-week-low of $0.28. At the end of the last trading period, MEI Pharma closed at $0.39.

According to Stifel, the prior rating for Edwards Lifesciences Corp EW was changed from Buy to Hold. In the third quarter, Edwards Lifesciences showed an EPS of $0.61, compared to $0.54 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Edwards Lifesciences shows a 52-week-high of $131.73 and a 52-week-low of $67.13. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $73.85.

For Steel Dynamics Inc STLD, UBS downgraded the previous rating of Buy to Neutral. For the third quarter, Steel Dynamics had an EPS of $5.46, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $4.96. The stock has a 52-week-high of $109.63 and a 52-week-low of $50.54. At the end of the last trading period, Steel Dynamics closed at $106.74.

Credit Suisse downgraded the previous rating for Kymera Therapeutics Inc KYMR from Outperform to Neutral. Kymera Therapeutics earned $0.79 in the third quarter, compared to $0.56 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $66.45 and a 52-week-low of $13.15. At the end of the last trading period, Kymera Therapeutics closed at $29.11.

See all analyst ratings downgrades.

Initiations

With a Buy rating, Jefferies initiated coverage on RXO Inc RXO. The price target seems to have been set at $25.00 for RXO. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $20.86 and a 52-week-low of $15.17. RXO closed at $17.98 at the end of the last trading period.

For Xencor Inc XNCR, Cowen & Co. initiated coverage, by setting the current rating at Outperform. In the third quarter, Xencor showed an EPS of $0.55, compared to $0.69 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $42.30 and a 52-week-low of $19.36. Xencor closed at $29.51 at the end of the last trading period.

Susquehanna initiated coverage on Avis Budget Group Inc CAR with a Neutral rating. The price target for Avis Budget Gr is set to $225.00. Avis Budget Gr earned $21.70 in the third quarter, compared to $10.74 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $327.80 and a 52-week-low of $131.83. At the end of the last trading period, Avis Budget Gr closed at $196.45.

With a Neutral rating, Susquehanna initiated coverage on Hertz Global Holdings Inc HTZ. The price target seems to have been set at $18.00 for Hertz Global Holdings. For the third quarter, Hertz Global Holdings had an EPS of $1.08, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.20. The current stock performance of Hertz Global Holdings shows a 52-week-high of $26.93 and a 52-week-low of $15.00. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $16.37.

Needham initiated coverage on Alight Inc ALIT with a Buy rating. The price target for Alight is set to $12.00. For the third quarter, Alight had an EPS of $0.12, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.18. The stock has a 52-week-high of $11.10 and a 52-week-low of $6.31. At the end of the last trading period, Alight closed at $8.59.

With an Outperform rating, Bernstein initiated coverage on The Kroger Co KR. The price target seems to have been set at $58.00 for Kroger. In the third quarter, Kroger showed an EPS of $0.88, compared to $0.78 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $62.78 and a 52-week-low of $41.81. Kroger closed at $46.07 at the end of the last trading period.

Bernstein initiated coverage on Albertsons Companies Inc ACI with an Outperform rating. The price target for Albertsons Companies is set to $26.00. In the second quarter, Albertsons Companies showed an EPS of $0.72, compared to $0.64 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $37.99 and a 52-week-low of $20.05. At the end of the last trading period, Albertsons Companies closed at $20.96.

Bernstein initiated coverage on Target Corp TGT with an Outperform rating. The price target for Target is set to $190.00. In the third quarter, Target showed an EPS of $1.54, compared to $3.03 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $254.87 and a 52-week-low of $137.16. At the end of the last trading period, Target closed at $154.93.

Bernstein initiated coverage on Costco Wholesale Corp COST with an Outperform rating. The price target for Costco Wholesale is set to $586.00. Costco Wholesale earned $4.20 in the fourth quarter, compared to $3.90 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Costco Wholesale shows a 52-week-high of $612.27 and a 52-week-low of $406.51. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $488.66.

Bernstein initiated coverage on Walmart Inc WMT with a Market Perform rating. The price target for Walmart is set to $159.00. For the third quarter, Walmart had an EPS of $1.50, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.45. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $160.77 and a 52-week-low of $117.27. Walmart closed at $151.65 at the end of the last trading period.

Bernstein initiated coverage on Floor & Decor Holdings Inc FND with an Outperform rating. The price target for Floor & Decor Hldgs is set to $112.00. In the third quarter, Floor & Decor Hldgs showed an EPS of $0.70, compared to $0.60 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $133.31 and a 52-week-low of $59.91. Floor & Decor Hldgs closed at $74.32 at the end of the last trading period.

With a Market Perform rating, Bernstein initiated coverage on Lowe's Companies Inc LOW. The price target seems to have been set at $237.00 for Lowe's Companies. For the third quarter, Lowe's Companies had an EPS of $3.27, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $2.73. The stock has a 52-week-high of $263.31 and a 52-week-low of $170.12. At the end of the last trading period, Lowe's Companies closed at $206.18.

With an Overweight rating, Wells Fargo initiated coverage on Array Technologies Inc ARRY. The price target seems to have been set at $28.00 for Array Technologies. For the third quarter, Array Technologies had an EPS of $0.18, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.07. The current stock performance of Array Technologies shows a 52-week-high of $24.00 and a 52-week-low of $5.45. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $21.85.

With a Neutral rating, Piper Sandler initiated coverage on Cass Information Systems Inc CASS. The price target seems to have been set at $45.00 for Cass Information Sys. Cass Information Sys earned $0.64 in the third quarter, compared to $0.48 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $44.35 and a 52-week-low of $31.84. At the end of the last trading period, Cass Information Sys closed at $42.72.

Citigroup initiated coverage on Xponential Fitness Inc XPOF with a Buy rating. The price target for Xponential Fitness is set to $29.00. In the third quarter, Xponential Fitness showed an EPS of $0.13, compared to $0.31 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $26.90 and a 52-week-low of $11.20. Xponential Fitness closed at $22.47 at the end of the last trading period.

With a Buy rating, UBS initiated coverage on Legend Biotech Corp LEGN. The price target seems to have been set at $66.00 for Legend Biotech. For the first quarter, Legend Biotech had an EPS of $0.24, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.30. The stock has a 52-week-high of $57.67 and a 52-week-low of $30.75. At the end of the last trading period, Legend Biotech closed at $50.99.

UBS initiated coverage on United Therapeutics Corp UTHR with a Buy rating. The price target for United Therapeutics is set to $320.00. For the third quarter, United Therapeutics had an EPS of $4.91, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $3.42. The current stock performance of United Therapeutics shows a 52-week-high of $282.22 and a 52-week-low of $158.38. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $273.72.

Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on R1 RCM Inc RCM with a Equal-Weight rating. The price target for R1 RCM is set to $11.00. For the third quarter, R1 RCM had an EPS of $0.07, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.05. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $27.86 and a 52-week-low of $6.71. R1 RCM closed at $10.11 at the end of the last trading period.

RBC Capital initiated coverage on Valvoline Inc VVV with an Outperform rating. The price target for Valvoline is set to $39.00. Valvoline earned $0.59 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.50 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $37.97 and a 52-week-low of $24.40. Valvoline closed at $32.79 at the end of the last trading period.

RBC Capital initiated coverage on Driven Brands Holdings Inc DRVN with an Outperform rating. The price target for Driven Brands Hldgs is set to $37.00. Driven Brands Hldgs earned $0.32 in the third quarter, compared to $0.26 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $35.45 and a 52-week-low of $24.62. Driven Brands Hldgs closed at $29.97 at the end of the last trading period.

Cowen & Co. initiated coverage on Veeva Systems Inc VEEV with a Market Perform rating. The price target for Veeva Sys is set to $184.00. NoneThe stock has a 52-week-high of $274.29 and a 52-week-low of $151.02. At the end of the last trading period, Veeva Sys closed at $167.24.

With an Outperform rating, Cowen & Co. initiated coverage on IQVIA Holdings Inc IQV. The price target seems to have been set at $251.00 for IQVIA Hldgs. NoneThe stock has a 52-week-high of $285.61 and a 52-week-low of $165.75. At the end of the last trading period, IQVIA Hldgs closed at $211.93.

Stifel initiated coverage on Enhabit Inc EHAB with a Buy rating. The price target for Enhabit is set to $17.00. NoneThe stock has a 52-week-high of $23.51 and a 52-week-low of $11.65. At the end of the last trading period, Enhabit closed at $13.68.

JonesTrading initiated coverage on BrightSpire Capital Inc BRSP with a Buy rating. The price target for BrightSpire Capital is set to $11.00. BrightSpire Capital earned $0.25 in the third quarter, compared to $0.26 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $10.42 and a 52-week-low of $6.13. At the end of the last trading period, BrightSpire Capital closed at $6.98.

Piper Sandler initiated coverage on Perfect Corp PERF with a Neutral rating. The price target for Perfect is set to $7.00. The current stock performance of Perfect shows a 52-week-high of $21.03 and a 52-week-low of $4.90. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $5.78.

See all analyst ratings initiations.