Benzinga's Top Ratings Upgrades, Downgrades For August 28, 2023

Upgrades

According to B of A Securities, the prior rating for Futu Holdings Ltd FUTU was changed from Underperform to Buy. In the second quarter, Futu Hldgs showed an EPS of $1.09, compared to $0.61 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $72.20 and a 52-week-low of $28.01. At the end of the last trading period, Futu Hldgs closed at $51.06.

According to Truist Securities, the prior rating for Apartment Income REIT Corp AIRC was changed from Hold to Buy. In the second quarter, Apartment Income REIT showed an EPS of $0.58, compared to $0.66 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $43.70 and a 52-week-low of $32.51. Apartment Income REIT closed at $33.49 at the end of the last trading period.

According to Truist Securities, the prior rating for UDR Inc UDR was changed from Hold to Buy. UDR earned $0.61 in the second quarter, compared to $0.57 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of UDR shows a 52-week-high of $48.31 and a 52-week-low of $37.18. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $39.17.

For MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings Inc MTSI, Benchmark upgraded the previous rating of Hold to Buy. For the third quarter, MACOM Technology Solns had an EPS of $0.54, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.73. The current stock performance of MACOM Technology Solns shows a 52-week-high of $81.54 and a 52-week-low of $48.53. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $80.04.

For Emerson Electric Co EMR, Argus Research upgraded the previous rating of Hold to Buy. Emerson Electric earned $1.29 in the third quarter, compared to $1.38 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $99.65 and a 52-week-low of $72.42. Emerson Electric closed at $97.64 at the end of the last trading period.

For Church & Dwight Co Inc CHD, Truist Securities upgraded the previous rating of Hold to Buy. For the second quarter, Church & Dwight Co had an EPS of $0.92, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.76. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $100.52 and a 52-week-low of $70.16. Church & Dwight Co closed at $93.30 at the end of the last trading period.

For AppFolio Inc APPF, William Blair upgraded the previous rating of Market Perform to Outperform. For the second quarter, AppFolio had an EPS of $0.23, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.03. The stock has a 52-week-high of $195.90 and a 52-week-low of $93.04. At the end of the last trading period, AppFolio closed at $183.82.

According to HC Wainwright & Co., the prior rating for Akebia Therapeutics Inc AKBA was changed from Neutral to Buy. In the second quarter, Akebia Therapeutics showed an EPS of $0.06, compared to $0.15 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $1.84 and a 52-week-low of $0.24. At the end of the last trading period, Akebia Therapeutics closed at $1.15.

Wells Fargo upgraded the previous rating for UGI Corp UGI from Equal-Weight to Overweight. In the third quarter, UGI showed an EPS of $0.00, compared to $0.06 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $43.19 and a 52-week-low of $22.45. UGI closed at $22.71 at the end of the last trading period.

BTIG upgraded the previous rating for Zimmer Biomet Holdings Inc ZBH from Neutral to Buy. In the second quarter, Zimmer Biomet Holdings showed an EPS of $1.82, compared to $1.82 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Zimmer Biomet Holdings shows a 52-week-high of $149.25 and a 52-week-low of $102.60. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $115.24.

According to Piper Sandler, the prior rating for Mister Car Wash Inc MCW was changed from Neutral to Overweight. In the second quarter, Mister Car Wash showed an EPS of $0.08, compared to $0.11 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $11.14 and a 52-week-low of $6.43. Mister Car Wash closed at $6.89 at the end of the last trading period.

See all analyst ratings upgrades.

Downgrades

HC Wainwright & Co. downgraded the previous rating for NovoCure Ltd NVCR from Buy to Neutral. For the second quarter, NovoCure had an EPS of $0.54, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.23. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $120.03 and a 52-week-low of $26.68. NovoCure closed at $29.77 at the end of the last trading period.

Alliance Global Partners downgraded the previous rating for AgileThought Inc AGIL from Buy to Sell. For the second quarter, AgileThought had an EPS of $0.13, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.04. The current stock performance of AgileThought shows a 52-week-high of $4.80 and a 52-week-low of $0.20. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $0.26.

For VMware Inc VMW, Monness, Crespi, Hardt downgraded the previous rating of Buy to Neutral. For the first quarter, VMware had an EPS of $1.49, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.28. The stock has a 52-week-high of $170.00 and a 52-week-low of $104.03. At the end of the last trading period, VMware closed at $162.55.

Truist Securities downgraded the previous rating for Essex Property Trust Inc ESS from Buy to Hold. In the second quarter, Essex Property Trust showed an EPS of $3.77, compared to $3.68 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Essex Property Trust shows a 52-week-high of $284.02 and a 52-week-low of $195.03. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $237.24.

For Energizer Holdings Inc ENR, Truist Securities downgraded the previous rating of Buy to Hold. For the third quarter, Energizer Hldgs had an EPS of $0.54, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.77. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $37.89 and a 52-week-low of $24.81. Energizer Hldgs closed at $34.56 at the end of the last trading period.

Wells Fargo downgraded the previous rating for Atmos Energy Corp ATO from Overweight to Equal-Weight. In the third quarter, Atmos Energy showed an EPS of $0.94, compared to $0.92 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Atmos Energy shows a 52-week-high of $125.28 and a 52-week-low of $97.83. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $117.70.

For Upwork Inc UPWK, BTIG downgraded the previous rating of Buy to Neutral. Upwork earned $0.10 in the second quarter, compared to $0.04 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $18.57 and a 52-week-low of $6.56. Upwork closed at $14.75 at the end of the last trading period.

HC Wainwright & Co. downgraded the previous rating for Timber Pharmaceuticals Inc TMBR from Buy to Neutral. Timber Pharmaceuticals earned $1.32 in the second quarter, compared to $7.50 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $8.72 and a 52-week-low of $1.21. Timber Pharmaceuticals closed at $3.03 at the end of the last trading period.

Jefferies downgraded the previous rating for Denbury Inc DEN from Buy to Hold. For the second quarter, Denbury had an EPS of $1.06, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.69. The stock has a 52-week-high of $104.05 and a 52-week-low of $73.24. At the end of the last trading period, Denbury closed at $89.25.

JP Morgan downgraded the previous rating for Lyell Immunopharma Inc LYEL from Overweight to Neutral. Lyell Immunopharma earned $0.04 in the second quarter, compared to $0.04 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Lyell Immunopharma shows a 52-week-high of $8.74 and a 52-week-low of $1.77. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $2.29.

For CrowdStrike Holdings Inc CRWD, Morgan Stanley downgraded the previous rating of Overweight to Equal-Weight. CrowdStrike Holdings earned $0.57 in the first quarter, compared to $0.31 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $203.59 and a 52-week-low of $92.25. CrowdStrike Holdings closed at $149.58 at the end of the last trading period.

For Century Therapeutics Inc IPSC, JP Morgan downgraded the previous rating of Overweight to Neutral. Century Therapeutics earned $0.56 in the second quarter, compared to $0.54 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $11.95 and a 52-week-low of $2.28. Century Therapeutics closed at $2.39 at the end of the last trading period.

For L3Harris Technologies Inc LHX, Bernstein downgraded the previous rating of Outperform to Market Perform. For the second quarter, L3Harris Technologies had an EPS of $2.97, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $6.38. The current stock performance of L3Harris Technologies shows a 52-week-high of $255.02 and a 52-week-low of $174.55. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $178.46.

See all analyst ratings downgrades.

Initiations

With a Buy rating, UBS initiated coverage on 89bio Inc ETNB. The price target seems to have been set at $36.00 for 89bio. For the second quarter, 89bio had an EPS of $0.52, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.23. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $22.93 and a 52-week-low of $4.18. 89bio closed at $16.52 at the end of the last trading period.

UBS initiated coverage on Akero Therapeutics Inc AKRO with a Buy rating. The price target for Akero Therapeutics is set to $83.00. For the second quarter, Akero Therapeutics had an EPS of $0.60, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.77. The stock has a 52-week-high of $58.38 and a 52-week-low of $10.49. At the end of the last trading period, Akero Therapeutics closed at $47.97.

With a Buy rating, Craig-Hallum initiated coverage on Xeris Biopharma Holdings Inc XERS. The price target seems to have been set at $4.50 for Xeris Biopharma Holdings. For the second quarter, Xeris Biopharma Holdings had an EPS of $0.14, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.19. The current stock performance of Xeris Biopharma Holdings shows a 52-week-high of $3.07 and a 52-week-low of $0.97. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $2.15.

For Bio-Techne Corp TECH, William Blair initiated coverage, by setting the current rating at Outperform. Bio-Techne earned $0.55 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.51 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $90.34 and a 52-week-low of $68.30. At the end of the last trading period, Bio-Techne closed at $80.16.

With a Buy rating, ThinkEquity initiated coverage on Alliance Entertainment Holding Corp AENT. The price target seems to have been set at $6.00 for Alliance Entertainment. The stock has a 52-week-high of $4.20 and a 52-week-low of $1.71. At the end of the last trading period, Alliance Entertainment closed at $2.20.

Cantor Fitzgerald initiated coverage on NextGen Healthcare Inc NXGN with an Overweight rating. The price target for NextGen Healthcare is set to $21.00. In the first quarter, NextGen Healthcare showed an EPS of $0.24, compared to $0.16 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $21.92 and a 52-week-low of $15.23. At the end of the last trading period, NextGen Healthcare closed at $17.95.

With a Buy rating, Seaport Global initiated coverage on Liberty Live Group LLYVA. The price target seems to have been set at $56.00 for Liberty Live. The stock has a 52-week-high of $37.00 and a 52-week-low of $32.07. At the end of the last trading period, Liberty Live closed at $33.16.

With a Neutral rating, Citigroup initiated coverage on Cricut Inc CRCT. The price target seems to have been set at $10.50 for Cricut. Cricut earned $0.07 in the second quarter, compared to $0.06 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $17.89 and a 52-week-low of $6.04. Cricut closed at $9.27 at the end of the last trading period.

HC Wainwright & Co. initiated coverage on Reneo Pharmaceuticals Inc RPHM with a Buy rating. The price target for Reneo Pharmaceuticals is set to $30.00. For the second quarter, Reneo Pharmaceuticals had an EPS of $0.65, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.50. The stock has a 52-week-high of $11.29 and a 52-week-low of $1.79. At the end of the last trading period, Reneo Pharmaceuticals closed at $6.25.

Canaccord Genuity initiated coverage on Surf Air Mobility Inc SRFM with a Buy rating. The price target for Surf Air Mobility is set to $3.00. The stock has a 52-week-high of $5.00 and a 52-week-low of $1.10. At the end of the last trading period, Surf Air Mobility closed at $1.34.

Goldman Sachs initiated coverage on Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta SAB de CV VTMX with a Neutral rating. The price target for Corporacion Inmobiliaria is set to $36.00. For the second quarter, Corporacion Inmobiliaria had an EPS of $0.01, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.02. The current stock performance of Corporacion Inmobiliaria shows a 52-week-high of $38.62 and a 52-week-low of $31.50. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $37.79.

With an Outperform rating, Wolfe Research initiated coverage on Workiva Inc WK. The price target seems to have been set at $120.00 for Workiva. In the second quarter, Workiva showed an EPS of $0.02, compared to $0.17 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $112.21 and a 52-week-low of $60.33. Workiva closed at $100.06 at the end of the last trading period.

RBC Capital initiated coverage on Tetra Tech Inc TTEK with an Outperform rating. The price target for Tetra Tech is set to $181.00. Tetra Tech earned $1.29 in the third quarter, compared to $1.08 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Tetra Tech shows a 52-week-high of $173.27 and a 52-week-low of $122.86. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $157.24.

With a Buy rating, Laidlaw & Co. initiated coverage on SILO Pharma Inc SILO. The price target seems to have been set at $10.00 for SILO Pharma. The current stock performance of SILO Pharma shows a 52-week-high of $12.22 and a 52-week-low of $1.71. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $1.94.

With a Market Outperform rating, JMP Securities initiated coverage on Pagaya Technologies Ltd PGY. The price target seems to have been set at $2.75 for Pagaya Techs. Pagaya Techs earned $0.00 in the second quarter, compared to $0.00 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Pagaya Techs shows a 52-week-high of $14.82 and a 52-week-low of $0.57. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $1.95.

See all analyst ratings initiations.