Benzinga's Top Ratings Upgrades, Downgrades For March 20, 2023

Upgrades

According to Seaport Global, the prior rating for Sonoco Products Co SON was changed from Neutral to Buy. Sonoco Prods earned $1.27 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.90 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $67.06 and a 52-week-low of $51.63. At the end of the last trading period, Sonoco Prods closed at $54.10.

According to Maxim Group, the prior rating for Panbela Therapeutics Inc PBLA was changed from Hold to Buy. Panbela Therapeutics earned $5.68 in the fourth quarter, compared to $10.40 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $87.60 and a 52-week-low of $0.41. Panbela Therapeutics closed at $0.51 at the end of the last trading period.

Northcoast Research upgraded the previous rating for Live Nation Entertainment Inc LYV from Neutral to Buy. For the fourth quarter, Live Nation Entertainment had an EPS of $1.09, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.96. The current stock performance of Live Nation Entertainment shows a 52-week-high of $121.17 and a 52-week-low of $65.11. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $66.34.

US Tiger Securities, Inc upgraded the previous rating for Coinbase Global Inc COIN from Hold to Buy. In the fourth quarter, Coinbase Glb showed an EPS of $2.46, compared to $3.32 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Coinbase Glb shows a 52-week-high of $206.78 and a 52-week-low of $31.55. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $74.98.

Exane BNP Paribas upgraded the previous rating for The Beauty Health Co SKIN from Underperform to Neutral. Beauty Health earned $0.05 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.12 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $19.37 and a 52-week-low of $8.26. Beauty Health closed at $11.31 at the end of the last trading period.

Northcoast Research upgraded the previous rating for The Kroger Co KR from Neutral to Buy. In the fourth quarter, Kroger showed an EPS of $0.99, compared to $0.91 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $62.74 and a 52-week-low of $41.81. At the end of the last trading period, Kroger closed at $46.78.

According to B of A Securities, the prior rating for NRG Energy Inc NRG was changed from Neutral to Buy. NRG Energy earned $4.56 in the fourth quarter, compared to $1.74 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $47.78 and a 52-week-low of $30.25. NRG Energy closed at $31.48 at the end of the last trading period.

Wolfe Research upgraded the previous rating for United States Steel Corp X from Underperform to Peer Perform. For the fourth quarter, United States Steel had an EPS of $0.87, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $3.64. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $39.24 and a 52-week-low of $16.42. United States Steel closed at $23.97 at the end of the last trading period.

For Cleveland-Cliffs Inc CLF, Wolfe Research upgraded the previous rating of Underperform to Peer Perform. In the fourth quarter, Cleveland-Cliffs showed an EPS of $0.30, compared to $1.78 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $34.03 and a 52-week-low of $11.82. Cleveland-Cliffs closed at $17.36 at the end of the last trading period.

According to Redburn Partners, the prior rating for Verisk Analytics Inc VRSK was changed from Sell to Neutral. For the fourth quarter, Verisk Analytics had an EPS of $1.43, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.47. The current stock performance of Verisk Analytics shows a 52-week-high of $222.11 and a 52-week-low of $156.07. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $180.07.

Benchmark upgraded the previous rating for Aspen Aerogels Inc ASPN from Hold to Buy. Aspen Aerogels earned $0.20 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.50 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Aspen Aerogels shows a 52-week-high of $38.00 and a 52-week-low of $6.37. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $6.81.

William Blair upgraded the previous rating for VF Corp VFC from Sell to Buy. For the third quarter, VF had an EPS of $1.12, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.35. The current stock performance of VF shows a 52-week-high of $60.02 and a 52-week-low of $20.14. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $21.42.

For Brookfield Corp BN, Credit Suisse upgraded the previous rating of Neutral to Outperform. For the fourth quarter, Brookfield had an EPS of $1.12, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.04. The stock has a 52-week-high of $48.17 and a 52-week-low of $28.25. At the end of the last trading period, Brookfield closed at $28.62.

According to Citigroup, the prior rating for WestRock Co WRK was changed from Neutral to Buy. For the first quarter, WestRock had an EPS of $0.55, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.65. The stock has a 52-week-high of $54.76 and a 52-week-low of $26.84. At the end of the last trading period, WestRock closed at $27.07.

Bernstein upgraded the previous rating for PepsiCo Inc PEP from Underperform to Market Perform. PepsiCo earned $1.67 in the fourth quarter, compared to $1.53 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of PepsiCo shows a 52-week-high of $186.81 and a 52-week-low of $154.86. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $175.13.

Wedbush upgraded the previous rating for New York Community Bancorp Inc NYCB from Neutral to Outperform. New York Community earned $0.25 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.31 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of New York Community shows a 52-week-high of $11.29 and a 52-week-low of $5.81. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $6.54.

Edward Jones upgraded the previous rating for Meta Platforms Inc META from Hold to Buy. In the fourth quarter, Meta Platforms showed an EPS of $1.76, compared to $3.67 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $205.76 and a 52-week-low of $88.10. Meta Platforms closed at $195.61 at the end of the last trading period.

Raymond James upgraded the previous rating for PowerSchool Holdings Inc PWSC from Market Perform to Outperform. For the fourth quarter, PowerSchool Holdings had an EPS of $0.27, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.14. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $26.05 and a 52-week-low of $10.63. PowerSchool Holdings closed at $18.46 at the end of the last trading period.

Raymond James upgraded the previous rating for Enphase Energy Inc ENPH from Market Perform to Outperform. Enphase Energy earned $1.51 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.73 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Enphase Energy shows a 52-week-high of $339.88 and a 52-week-low of $128.68. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $183.64.

For New York Community Bancorp Inc NYCB, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upgraded the previous rating of Market Perform to Outperform. For the fourth quarter, New York Community had an EPS of $0.25, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.31. The stock has a 52-week-high of $11.29 and a 52-week-low of $5.81. At the end of the last trading period, New York Community closed at $6.54.

According to Mizuho, the prior rating for EastGroup Properties Inc EGP was changed from Neutral to Buy. EastGroup Props earned $1.82 in the fourth quarter, compared to $1.62 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $217.35 and a 52-week-low of $137.47. EastGroup Props closed at $158.56 at the end of the last trading period.

Stifel upgraded the previous rating for Portillos Inc PTLO from Hold to Buy. Portillos earned $0.08 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.52 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $28.93 and a 52-week-low of $14.84. At the end of the last trading period, Portillos closed at $20.23.

For Dow Inc DOW, Deutsche Bank upgraded the previous rating of Hold to Buy. For the fourth quarter, Dow had an EPS of $0.46, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $2.15. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $71.85 and a 52-week-low of $42.92. Dow closed at $50.02 at the end of the last trading period.

According to Deutsche Bank, the prior rating for LyondellBasell Industries NV LYB was changed from Hold to Buy. In the fourth quarter, LyondellBasell Industries showed an EPS of $1.29, compared to $3.63 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $117.16 and a 52-week-low of $71.50. LyondellBasell Industries closed at $84.68 at the end of the last trading period.

Deutsche Bank upgraded the previous rating for Conagra Brands Inc CAG from Sell to Hold. For the second quarter, Conagra Brands had an EPS of $0.81, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.64. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $41.30 and a 52-week-low of $31.02. Conagra Brands closed at $35.52 at the end of the last trading period.

According to Deutsche Bank, the prior rating for Kimberly-Clark Corp KMB was changed from Sell to Hold. In the fourth quarter, Kimberly-Clark showed an EPS of $1.54, compared to $1.30 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $144.51 and a 52-week-low of $108.77. At the end of the last trading period, Kimberly-Clark closed at $125.37.

For U.S. Bancorp USB, Baird upgraded the previous rating of Neutral to Outperform. U.S. Bancorp earned $1.20 in the fourth quarter, compared to $1.07 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $57.91 and a 52-week-low of $32.72. U.S. Bancorp closed at $32.95 at the end of the last trading period.

Jefferies upgraded the previous rating for Unum Group UNM from Hold to Buy. In the fourth quarter, Unum Gr showed an EPS of $1.43, compared to $0.89 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $46.61 and a 52-week-low of $28.68. Unum Gr closed at $36.65 at the end of the last trading period.

Wolfe Research upgraded the previous rating for American Airlines Group Inc AAL from Underperform to Peer Perform. For the fourth quarter, American Airlines Group had an EPS of $1.17, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.42. The stock has a 52-week-high of $21.42 and a 52-week-low of $11.65. At the end of the last trading period, American Airlines Group closed at $13.98.

According to Wolfe Research, the prior rating for Warner Bros. Discovery Inc WBD was changed from Peer Perform to Outperform. For the fourth quarter, Warner Bros. Discovery had an EPS of $0.37, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.08. The stock has a 52-week-high of $27.50 and a 52-week-low of $8.82. At the end of the last trading period, Warner Bros. Discovery closed at $14.34.

See all analyst ratings upgrades.

Downgrades

For Pear Therapeutics Inc PEAR, Chardan Capital downgraded the previous rating of Buy to Neutral. The stock has a 52-week-high of $6.70 and a 52-week-low of $0.30. At the end of the last trading period, Pear Therapeutics closed at $0.39.

For Lifecore Biomedical Inc LFCR, Stephens & Co. downgraded the previous rating of Overweight to Equal-Weight. In the second quarter, Lifecore Biomedical showed an EPS of $0.24, compared to $0.25 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $9.24 and a 52-week-low of $1.52. Lifecore Biomedical closed at $1.67 at the end of the last trading period.

For Pear Therapeutics Inc PEAR, TD Cowen downgraded the previous rating of Outperform to Market Perform. The current stock performance of Pear Therapeutics shows a 52-week-high of $6.70 and a 52-week-low of $0.30. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $0.39.

TD Cowen downgraded the previous rating for Cyxtera Technologies Inc CYXT from Outperform to Market Perform. Cyxtera Technologies earned $0.31 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.40 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $15.30 and a 52-week-low of $1.32. At the end of the last trading period, Cyxtera Technologies closed at $1.39.

For 9 Meters Biopharma Inc NMTR, Truist Securities downgraded the previous rating of Buy to Hold. 9 Meters Biopharma earned $0.72 in the third quarter, compared to $1.06 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $13.20 and a 52-week-low of $1.00. At the end of the last trading period, 9 Meters Biopharma closed at $1.38.

According to HC Wainwright & Co., the prior rating for Co-Diagnostics Inc CODX was changed from Buy to Neutral. For the fourth quarter, Co-Diagnostics had an EPS of $0.19, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.25. The stock has a 52-week-high of $7.13 and a 52-week-low of $2.27. At the end of the last trading period, Co-Diagnostics closed at $2.48.

Oddo Securities downgraded the previous rating for UBS Group AG UBS from Neutral to Underperform. UBS Gr earned $0.50 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.38 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $22.30 and a 52-week-low of $13.81. At the end of the last trading period, UBS Gr closed at $18.20.

According to Baird, the prior rating for Diversey Holdings Ltd DSEY was changed from Outperform to Neutral. Diversey Hldgs earned $0.09 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.16 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $10.64 and a 52-week-low of $3.95. Diversey Hldgs closed at $7.96 at the end of the last trading period.

For Pear Therapeutics Inc PEAR, Credit Suisse downgraded the previous rating of Outperform to Neutral. The current stock performance of Pear Therapeutics shows a 52-week-high of $6.70 and a 52-week-low of $0.30. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $0.39.

See all analyst ratings downgrades.

Initiations

EF Hutton initiated coverage on CareCloud Inc CCLD with a Buy rating. The price target for CareCloud is set to $8.50. CareCloud earned $0.25 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.34 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $5.74 and a 52-week-low of $2.50. At the end of the last trading period, CareCloud closed at $3.21.

With a Buy rating, BTIG initiated coverage on Genius Sports Ltd GENI. The price target seems to have been set at $6.00 for Genius Sports. In the fourth quarter, Genius Sports showed an EPS of $0.63, compared to $0.28 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $5.82 and a 52-week-low of $2.21. Genius Sports closed at $4.51 at the end of the last trading period.

With a Neutral rating, B of A Securities initiated coverage on ESAB Corp ESAB. The price target seems to have been set at $63.00 for ESAB. ESAB earned $1.05 in the fourth quarter, compared to $1.05 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $63.32 and a 52-week-low of $32.20. ESAB closed at $59.06 at the end of the last trading period.

BMO Capital initiated coverage on The Lion Electric Co LEV with a Market Perform rating. The price target for Lion Electric is set to $2.00. Lion Electric earned $0.02 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.14 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $9.20 and a 52-week-low of $1.84. Lion Electric closed at $1.93 at the end of the last trading period.

With an Overweight rating, JP Morgan initiated coverage on Ferguson PLC FERG. The price target seems to have been set at $150.00 for Ferguson. For the second quarter, Ferguson had an EPS of $1.91, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.93. The current stock performance of Ferguson shows a 52-week-high of $150.41 and a 52-week-low of $99.24. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $128.37.

For HP Inc HPQ, Goldman Sachs initiated coverage, by setting the current rating at Neutral. In the first quarter, HP showed an EPS of $0.75, compared to $1.10 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of HP shows a 52-week-high of $41.46 and a 52-week-low of $24.08. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $28.04.

Goldman Sachs initiated coverage on Dell Technologies Inc DELL with a Buy rating. For the fourth quarter, Dell Technologies had an EPS of $1.80, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.72. The stock has a 52-week-high of $55.30 and a 52-week-low of $32.90. At the end of the last trading period, Dell Technologies closed at $37.22.

For Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co HPE, Goldman Sachs initiated coverage, by setting the current rating at Neutral. In the first quarter, Hewlett Packard showed an EPS of $0.63, compared to $0.53 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $17.65 and a 52-week-low of $11.90. Hewlett Packard closed at $14.10 at the end of the last trading period.

HC Wainwright & Co. initiated coverage on Icecure Medical Ltd ICCM with a Buy rating. The price target for Icecure Medical is set to $3.00. NoneAt the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $4.72 and a 52-week-low of $0.76. Icecure Medical closed at $1.05 at the end of the last trading period.

With a Buy rating, Mizuho initiated coverage on Prologis Inc PLD. The price target seems to have been set at $140.00 for Prologis. In the fourth quarter, Prologis showed an EPS of $1.24, compared to $1.12 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Prologis shows a 52-week-high of $174.54 and a 52-week-low of $98.05. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $116.03.

Truist Securities initiated coverage on Roper Technologies Inc ROP with a Buy rating. The price target for Roper Techs is set to $510.00. Roper Techs earned $3.92 in the fourth quarter, compared to $3.73 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Roper Techs shows a 52-week-high of $488.07 and a 52-week-low of $357.25. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $425.66.

With a Market Outperform rating, JMP Securities initiated coverage on Genius Sports Ltd GENI. The price target seems to have been set at $7.00 for Genius Sports. For the fourth quarter, Genius Sports had an EPS of $0.63, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.28. The current stock performance of Genius Sports shows a 52-week-high of $5.82 and a 52-week-low of $2.21. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $4.51.

With a Buy rating, UBS initiated coverage on Treehouse Foods Inc THS. The price target seems to have been set at $60.00 for Treehouse Foods. In the fourth quarter, Treehouse Foods showed an EPS of $0.98, compared to $0.11 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $51.55 and a 52-week-low of $30.06. Treehouse Foods closed at $45.65 at the end of the last trading period.

With a Neutral rating, UBS initiated coverage on Hostess Brands Inc TWNK. The price target seems to have been set at $26.00 for Hostess Brands. For the fourth quarter, Hostess Brands had an EPS of $0.25, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.25. The current stock performance of Hostess Brands shows a 52-week-high of $28.97 and a 52-week-low of $19.00. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $24.40.

See all analyst ratings initiations.