Benzinga's Top Ratings Upgrades, Downgrades For April 13, 2023

Upgrades

UBS upgraded the previous rating for Ingredion Inc INGR from Neutral to Buy. For the fourth quarter, Ingredion had an EPS of $1.65, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.09. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $105.24 and a 52-week-low of $78.86. Ingredion closed at $101.56 at the end of the last trading period.

For Montauk Renewables Inc MNTK, UBS upgraded the previous rating of Sell to Neutral. For the fourth quarter, Montauk Renewables had an EPS of $0.05, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.04. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $20.78 and a 52-week-low of $6.58. Montauk Renewables closed at $7.00 at the end of the last trading period.

Maxim Group upgraded the previous rating for ContraFect Corp CFRX from Hold to Buy. For the fourth quarter, ContraFect had an EPS of $16.14, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $8.80. The current stock performance of ContraFect shows a 52-week-high of $362.40 and a 52-week-low of $1.00. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $1.01.

For Blackstone Inc BX, Oppenheimer upgraded the previous rating of Perform to Outperform. Blackstone earned $1.07 in the fourth quarter, compared to $1.71 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $126.75 and a 52-week-low of $71.73. At the end of the last trading period, Blackstone closed at $82.61.

For VF Corp VFC, Edward Jones upgraded the previous rating of Hold to Buy. In the third quarter, VF showed an EPS of $1.12, compared to $1.35 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $58.79 and a 52-week-low of $20.03. VF closed at $21.57 at the end of the last trading period.

Exane BNP Paribas upgraded the previous rating for DraftKings Inc DKNG from Underperform to Neutral. DraftKings earned $0.53 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.80 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $21.62 and a 52-week-low of $9.78. At the end of the last trading period, DraftKings closed at $18.53.

Scotiabank upgraded the previous rating for Chevron Corp CVX from Sector Perform to Sector Outperform. In the fourth quarter, Chevron showed an EPS of $4.09, compared to $2.56 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $189.66 and a 52-week-low of $132.54. At the end of the last trading period, Chevron closed at $169.82.

According to Scotiabank, the prior rating for EOG Resources Inc EOG was changed from Sector Perform to Sector Outperform. EOG Resources earned $3.30 in the fourth quarter, compared to $3.09 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $150.78 and a 52-week-low of $92.22. EOG Resources closed at $122.31 at the end of the last trading period.

According to B of A Securities, the prior rating for SunPower Corp SPWR was changed from Underperform to Neutral. In the fourth quarter, SunPower showed an EPS of $0.15, compared to $0.07 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of SunPower shows a 52-week-high of $28.33 and a 52-week-low of $12.03. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $13.07.

Morgan Stanley upgraded the previous rating for World Wrestling Entertainment Inc WWE from Equal-Weight to Overweight. For the fourth quarter, World Wrestling Enter had an EPS of $0.52, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.70. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $103.97 and a 52-week-low of $55.13. World Wrestling Enter closed at $102.78 at the end of the last trading period.

According to Citigroup, the prior rating for Steven Madden Ltd SHOO was changed from Neutral to Buy. For the fourth quarter, Steven Madden had an EPS of $0.44, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.87. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $45.00 and a 52-week-low of $26.36. Steven Madden closed at $34.10 at the end of the last trading period.

Citigroup upgraded the previous rating for Merck & Co Inc MRK from Neutral to Buy. For the fourth quarter, Merck & Co had an EPS of $1.62, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.80. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $115.49 and a 52-week-low of $83.06. Merck & Co closed at $113.75 at the end of the last trading period.

See all analyst ratings upgrades.

Downgrades

For DLocal Ltd DLO, HSBC downgraded the previous rating of Buy to Hold. In the fourth quarter, DLocal showed an EPS of $0.06, compared to $0.08 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $33.56 and a 52-week-low of $9.04. At the end of the last trading period, DLocal closed at $13.55.

According to Craig-Hallum, the prior rating for Sportsman's Warehouse Holdings Inc SPWH was changed from Buy to Hold. Sportsman's Warehouse earned $0.33 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.49 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Sportsman's Warehouse shows a 52-week-high of $11.37 and a 52-week-low of $7.66. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $8.31.

For National Instruments Corp NATI, Susquehanna downgraded the previous rating of Positive to Neutral. For the fourth quarter, National Instruments had an EPS of $0.63, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.60. The stock has a 52-week-high of $57.99 and a 52-week-low of $29.81. At the end of the last trading period, National Instruments closed at $57.68.

For JD.com Inc JD, UBS downgraded the previous rating of Buy to Neutral. JD.com earned $0.70 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.35 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $68.29 and a 52-week-low of $33.17. JD.com closed at $36.95 at the end of the last trading period.

According to Morgan Stanley, the prior rating for National Instruments Corp NATI was changed from to Equal-Weight. For the fourth quarter, National Instruments had an EPS of $0.63, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.60. The stock has a 52-week-high of $57.99 and a 52-week-low of $29.81. At the end of the last trading period, National Instruments closed at $57.68.

For Exxon Mobil Corp XOM, Scotiabank downgraded the previous rating of Sector Outperform to Sector Perform. Exxon Mobil earned $3.40 in the fourth quarter, compared to $2.05 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $119.63 and a 52-week-low of $79.29. At the end of the last trading period, Exxon Mobil closed at $115.23.

According to B of A Securities, the prior rating for Playtika Holding Corp PLTK was changed from Neutral to Underperform. In the fourth quarter, Playtika Holding 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 $20.29 and a 52-week-low of $7.83. Playtika Holding closed at $11.65 at the end of the last trading period.

Deutsche Bank downgraded the previous rating for First Solar Inc FSLR from Buy to Hold. First Solar earned $0.07 in the fourth quarter, compared to $1.23 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of First Solar shows a 52-week-high of $219.55 and a 52-week-low of $59.60. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $207.89.

According to William Blair, the prior rating for Tessco Technologies Inc TESS was changed from Outperform to Market Perform. Tessco Technologies earned $0.05 in the third quarter, compared to $0.14 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Tessco Technologies shows a 52-week-high of $8.79 and a 52-week-low of $4.03. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $8.79.

For LyondellBasell Industries NV LYB, Jefferies downgraded the previous rating of Buy to Hold. In the fourth quarter, LyondellBasell Industries showed an EPS of $1.29, compared to $3.63 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of LyondellBasell Industries shows a 52-week-high of $117.16 and a 52-week-low of $71.50. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $97.21.

According to Jefferies, the prior rating for LSB Industries Inc LXU was changed from Buy to Hold. LSB Industries earned $0.90 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.72 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $27.18 and a 52-week-low of $9.26. At the end of the last trading period, LSB Industries closed at $10.01.

According to Wolfe Research, the prior rating for National Storage Affiliates Trust NSA was changed from Peer Perform to Underperform. National Storage earned $0.71 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.64 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $67.44 and a 52-week-low of $34.90. National Storage closed at $42.72 at the end of the last trading period.

Wolfe Research downgraded the previous rating for CubeSmart CUBE from Outperform to Peer Perform. For the fourth quarter, CubeSmart had an EPS of $0.67, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.58. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $54.94 and a 52-week-low of $36.85. CubeSmart closed at $48.19 at the end of the last trading period.

Wolfe Research downgraded the previous rating for Life Storage Inc LSI from Outperform to Peer Perform. Life Storage earned $1.69 in the fourth quarter, compared to $1.41 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Life Storage shows a 52-week-high of $151.75 and a 52-week-low of $94.02. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $144.55.

See all analyst ratings downgrades.

Initiations

With an Outperform rating, Noble Capital Markets initiated coverage on Snail Inc SNAL. The price target seems to have been set at $9.00 for Snail. NoneAt the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $4.36 and a 52-week-low of $1.11. Snail closed at $1.11 at the end of the last trading period.

With a Buy rating, Craig-Hallum initiated coverage on OmniAb Inc OABI. The price target seems to have been set at $10.00 for OmniAb. OmniAb earned $0.07 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.04 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of OmniAb shows a 52-week-high of $5.07 and a 52-week-low of $1.91. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $3.81.

With a Neutral rating, Janney Montgomery Scott initiated coverage on Peoples Bancorp Inc (Marietta OH) PEBO. The price target seems to have been set at $28.00 for Peoples Bancorp. Peoples Bancorp earned $0.95 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.97 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $32.22 and a 52-week-low of $25.09. At the end of the last trading period, Peoples Bancorp closed at $25.44.

Canaccord Genuity initiated coverage on Intellia Therapeutics Inc NTLA with a Buy rating. The price target for Intellia Therapeutics is set to $66.00. In the fourth quarter, Intellia Therapeutics showed an EPS of $1.40, compared to $1.09 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $76.24 and a 52-week-low of $32.44. Intellia Therapeutics closed at $34.58 at the end of the last trading period.

With a Buy rating, Canaccord Genuity initiated coverage on Verve Therapeutics Inc VERV. The price target seems to have been set at $29.00 for Verve Therapeutics. In the fourth quarter, Verve Therapeutics showed an EPS of $0.67, compared to $0.65 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Verve Therapeutics shows a 52-week-high of $42.86 and a 52-week-low of $10.70. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $13.69.

Cantor Fitzgerald initiated coverage on CRISPR Therapeutics AG CRSP with an Overweight rating. The price target for CRISPR Therapeutics is set to $72.00. For the fourth quarter, CRISPR Therapeutics had an EPS of $1.41, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.84. The current stock performance of CRISPR Therapeutics shows a 52-week-high of $86.79 and a 52-week-low of $38.94. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $43.47.

With a Buy rating, HC Wainwright & Co. initiated coverage on FTC Solar Inc FTCI. The price target seems to have been set at $5.00 for FTC Solar. FTC Solar earned $0.11 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.17 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of FTC Solar shows a 52-week-high of $6.13 and a 52-week-low of $1.78. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $2.74.

JP Morgan initiated coverage on CCC Intelligent Solutions Holdings Inc CCCS with an Overweight rating. The price target for CCC Intelligent Solutions is set to $11.00. For the fourth quarter, CCC Intelligent Solutions had an EPS of $0.07, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.08. The stock has a 52-week-high of $10.19 and a 52-week-low of $7.42. At the end of the last trading period, CCC Intelligent Solutions closed at $8.58.

JP Morgan initiated coverage on Plymouth Industrial REIT Inc PLYM with a Neutral rating. The price target for Plymouth Industrial REIT is set to $23.00. For the fourth quarter, Plymouth Industrial REIT had an EPS of $0.42, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.39. The current stock performance of Plymouth Industrial REIT shows a 52-week-high of $26.23 and a 52-week-low of $15.59. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $20.62.

With a Buy rating, B. Riley Securities initiated coverage on PubMatic Inc PUBM. The price target seems to have been set at $20.00 for PubMatic. For the fourth quarter, PubMatic had an EPS of $0.33, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.48. The stock has a 52-week-high of $26.75 and a 52-week-low of $12.19. At the end of the last trading period, PubMatic closed at $13.81.

With a Buy rating, B. Riley Securities initiated coverage on Magnite Inc MGNI. The price target seems to have been set at $15.00 for Magnite. For the fourth quarter, Magnite had an EPS of $0.24, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.26. The current stock performance of Magnite shows a 52-week-high of $14.21 and a 52-week-low of $5.58. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $8.65.

Baird initiated coverage on Pliant Therapeutics Inc PLRX with an Outperform rating. The price target for Pliant Therapeutics is set to $44.00. In the fourth quarter, Pliant Therapeutics showed an EPS of $0.72, compared to $0.68 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $36.64 and a 52-week-low of $3.96. Pliant Therapeutics closed at $25.40 at the end of the last trading period.

With a Strong Buy rating, Raymond James initiated coverage on Primerica Inc PRI. The price target seems to have been set at $244.00 for Primerica. In the fourth quarter, Primerica showed an EPS of $3.49, compared to $2.94 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Primerica shows a 52-week-high of $195.69 and a 52-week-low of $110.32. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $172.35.

Benchmark initiated coverage on Broadcom Inc AVGO with a Buy rating. The price target for Broadcom is set to $770.00. Broadcom earned $10.33 in the first quarter, compared to $8.39 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Broadcom shows a 52-week-high of $648.50 and a 52-week-low of $415.35. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $616.70.

With an Outperform rating, Raymond James initiated coverage on Relay Therapeutics Inc RLAY. The price target seems to have been set at $29.00 for Relay Therapeutics. For the fourth quarter, Relay Therapeutics had an EPS of $0.56, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.62. The current stock performance of Relay Therapeutics shows a 52-week-high of $33.05 and a 52-week-low of $12.71. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $16.01.

William Blair initiated coverage on Costco Wholesale Corp COST with an Outperform rating. For the second quarter, Costco Wholesale had an EPS of $3.30, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $2.92. The stock has a 52-week-high of $609.18 and a 52-week-low of $406.64. At the end of the last trading period, Costco Wholesale closed at $489.35.

Mizuho initiated coverage on General Motors Co GM with a Neutral rating. The price target for General Motors is set to $39.00. In the fourth quarter, General Motors showed an EPS of $2.12, compared to $1.35 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $43.63 and a 52-week-low of $30.34. General Motors closed at $34.62 at the end of the last trading period.

With an Outperform rating, Oppenheimer initiated coverage on RxSight Inc RXST. The price target seems to have been set at $23.00 for RxSight. In the fourth quarter, RxSight showed an EPS of $0.45, compared to $0.47 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $17.73 and a 52-week-low of $9.78. RxSight closed at $17.28 at the end of the last trading period.

See all analyst ratings initiations.