Benzinga's Top Ratings Upgrades, Downgrades For October 6, 2023

Upgrades

According to B of A Securities, the prior rating for Clearway Energy Inc CWEN was changed from Neutral to Buy. In the second quarter, Clearway Energy showed an EPS of $0.33, compared to $4.37 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $36.54 and a 52-week-low of $18.59. At the end of the last trading period, Clearway Energy closed at $18.76.

According to Truist Securities, the prior rating for Frontdoor Inc FTDR was changed from Hold to Buy. Frontdoor earned $0.87 in the second quarter, compared to $0.53 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Frontdoor shows a 52-week-high of $38.97 and a 52-week-low of $19.06. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $29.31.

B of A Securities upgraded the previous rating for Xcel Energy Inc XEL from Neutral to Buy. For the second quarter, Xcel Energy had an EPS of $0.52, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.60. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $72.99 and a 52-week-low of $53.73. Xcel Energy closed at $56.48 at the end of the last trading period.

JP Morgan upgraded the previous rating for WESCO International Inc WCC from Neutral to Overweight. For the second quarter, WESCO Intl had an EPS of $3.71, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $4.19. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $185.23 and a 52-week-low of $114.21. WESCO Intl closed at $139.83 at the end of the last trading period.

JP Morgan upgraded the previous rating for Eaton Corp PLC ETN from Neutral to Overweight. Eaton Corp earned $2.21 in the second quarter, compared to $1.87 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $240.44 and a 52-week-low of $132.07. At the end of the last trading period, Eaton Corp closed at $203.18.

JP Morgan upgraded the previous rating for Trane Technologies PLC TT from Underweight to Neutral. Trane Technologies earned $2.68 in the second quarter, compared to $2.16 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $211.58 and a 52-week-low of $139.19. At the end of the last trading period, Trane Technologies closed at $200.82.

TD Cowen upgraded the previous rating for TE Connectivity Ltd TEL from Market Perform to Outperform. In the third quarter, TE Connectivity showed an EPS of $1.77, compared to $1.86 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $146.59 and a 52-week-low of $104.94. TE Connectivity closed at $120.93 at the end of the last trading period.

According to JP Morgan, the prior rating for Apellis Pharmaceuticals Inc APLS was changed from Neutral to Overweight. In the second quarter, Apellis Pharmaceuticals showed an EPS of $1.02, compared to $1.46 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Apellis Pharmaceuticals shows a 52-week-high of $94.75 and a 52-week-low of $19.83. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $39.64.

Piper Sandler upgraded the previous rating for Shoals Technologies Group Inc SHLS from Neutral to Overweight. In the second quarter, Shoals Technologies Gr showed an EPS of $0.14, compared to $0.07 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $32.37 and a 52-week-low of $15.06. Shoals Technologies Gr closed at $15.10 at the end of the last trading period.

For Columbia Banking System Inc COLB, UBS upgraded the previous rating of Sell to Neutral. Columbia Banking System earned $0.81 in the second quarter, compared to $0.75 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $35.53 and a 52-week-low of $17.54. At the end of the last trading period, Columbia Banking System closed at $19.43.

According to Piper Sandler, the prior rating for Kemper Corp KMPR was changed from Neutral to Overweight. In the second quarter, Kemper showed an EPS of $0.26, compared to $0.62 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Kemper shows a 52-week-high of $68.15 and a 52-week-low of $38.32. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $41.47.

For e.l.f. Beauty Inc ELF, Jefferies upgraded the previous rating of Hold to Buy. In the first quarter, e.l.f. Beauty showed an EPS of $1.10, compared to $0.39 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $139.85 and a 52-week-low of $37.31. e.l.f. Beauty closed at $96.55 at the end of the last trading period.

Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upgraded the previous rating for Cambridge Bancorp CATC from Market Perform to Outperform. In the second quarter, Cambridge showed an EPS of $1.23, compared to $1.90 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Cambridge shows a 52-week-high of $92.58 and a 52-week-low of $44.62. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $59.33.

According to UBS, the prior rating for BHP Group Ltd BHP was changed from Sell to Neutral. NoneThe stock has a 52-week-high of $71.52 and a 52-week-low of $46.92. At the end of the last trading period, BHP Group closed at $55.33.

UBS upgraded the previous rating for Rio Tinto PLC RIO from Sell to Neutral. NoneThe stock has a 52-week-high of $80.52 and a 52-week-low of $52.28. At the end of the last trading period, Rio Tinto closed at $60.90.

According to UBS, the prior rating for Vale SA VALE was changed from Sell to Neutral. In the second quarter, Vale showed an EPS of $0.20, compared to $1.32 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Vale shows a 52-week-high of $19.31 and a 52-week-low of $12.22. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $12.78.

See all analyst ratings upgrades.

Downgrades

According to Craig-Hallum, the prior rating for CalAmp Corp CAMP was changed from Buy to Hold. For the second quarter, CalAmp had an EPS of $0.11, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.02. The current stock performance of CalAmp shows a 52-week-high of $5.36 and a 52-week-low of $0.29. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $0.45.

DA Davidson downgraded the previous rating for LCI Industries Inc LCII from Neutral to Underperform. In the second quarter, LCI Indus showed an EPS of $1.31, compared to $6.06 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $137.07 and a 52-week-low of $89.43. At the end of the last trading period, LCI Indus closed at $115.41.

JP Morgan downgraded the previous rating for Carrier Global Corp CARR from Neutral to Underweight. For the second quarter, Carrier Global had an EPS of $0.79, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.70. The stock has a 52-week-high of $60.04 and a 52-week-low of $33.11. At the end of the last trading period, Carrier Global closed at $53.51.

For Venus Concept Inc VERO, BTIG downgraded the previous rating of Buy to Neutral. For the second quarter, Venus Concept had an EPS of $1.35, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $2.40. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $8.25 and a 52-week-low of $1.51. Venus Concept closed at $2.07 at the end of the last trading period.

JP Morgan downgraded the previous rating for G1 Therapeutics Inc GTHX from Neutral to Underweight. For the second quarter, G1 Therapeutics had an EPS of $0.14, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.92. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $13.85 and a 52-week-low of $1.14. G1 Therapeutics closed at $1.27 at the end of the last trading period.

According to Oppenheimer, the prior rating for O'Reilly Automotive Inc ORLY was changed from Outperform to Perform. For the second quarter, O'Reilly Automotive had an EPS of $10.22, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $8.78. The stock has a 52-week-high of $975.72 and a 52-week-low of $705.74. At the end of the last trading period, O'Reilly Automotive closed at $900.80.

Oppenheimer downgraded the previous rating for AutoZone Inc AZO from Outperform to Perform. In the fourth quarter, AutoZone showed an EPS of $46.46, compared to $40.51 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of AutoZone shows a 52-week-high of $2750.00 and a 52-week-low of $2165.93. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $2521.68.

For SP Plus Corp SP, William Blair downgraded the previous rating of Outperform to Market Perform. For the second quarter, SP Plus had an EPS of $0.78, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.81. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $52.40 and a 52-week-low of $31.13. SP Plus closed at $51.22 at the end of the last trading period.

According to UBS, the prior rating for The AES Corp AES was changed from Buy to Neutral. In the second quarter, AES showed an EPS of $0.21, compared to $0.34 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $29.87 and a 52-week-low of $12.36. At the end of the last trading period, AES closed at $12.61.

For Univest Financial Corp UVSP, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods downgraded the previous rating of Outperform to Market Perform. Univest Financial earned $0.61 in the second quarter, compared to $0.45 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $29.06 and a 52-week-low of $16.11. Univest Financial closed at $17.44 at the end of the last trading period.

For PTC Therapeutics Inc PTCT, Truist Securities downgraded the previous rating of Buy to Hold. PTC Therapeutics earned $1.48 in the second quarter, compared to $2.13 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of PTC Therapeutics shows a 52-week-high of $59.84 and a 52-week-low of $20.17. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $22.20.

According to Raymond James, the prior rating for POINT Biopharma Global Inc PNT was changed from Outperform to Market Perform. For the second quarter, POINT Biopharma Global had an EPS of $0.24, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.27. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $12.41 and a 52-week-low of $5.59. POINT Biopharma Global closed at $12.40 at the end of the last trading period.

See all analyst ratings downgrades.

Initiations

With a Buy rating, Craig-Hallum initiated coverage on Stagwell Inc STGW. The price target seems to have been set at $8.00 for Stagwell. Stagwell earned $0.16 in the second quarter, compared to $0.08 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Stagwell shows a 52-week-high of $9.23 and a 52-week-low of $4.09. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $4.11.

For RayzeBio inc RYZB, William Blair initiated coverage, by setting the current rating at Outperform. The stock has a 52-week-high of $26.00 and a 52-week-low of $17.95. At the end of the last trading period, RayzeBio closed at $20.06.

With a Buy rating, Ladenburg Thalmann initiated coverage on NiSource Inc NI. The price target seems to have been set at $25.00 for NiSource. In the second quarter, NiSource showed an EPS of $0.11, compared to $0.12 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $28.95 and a 52-week-low of $22.86. At the end of the last trading period, NiSource closed at $23.83.

With a Neutral rating, Citigroup initiated coverage on NuStar Energy LP NS. The price target seems to have been set at $17.00 for NuStar Energy. In the second quarter, NuStar Energy showed an EPS of $0.09, compared to $0.19 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of NuStar Energy shows a 52-week-high of $18.41 and a 52-week-low of $13.79. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $16.78.

Seaport Global initiated coverage on Warner Bros. Discovery Inc WBD with a Buy rating. The price target for Warner Bros. Discovery is set to $19.00. In the second quarter, Warner Bros. Discovery showed an EPS of $0.51, compared to $1.05 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $16.34 and a 52-week-low of $8.82. Warner Bros. Discovery closed at $10.09 at the end of the last trading period.

For Roku Inc ROKU, Seaport Global initiated coverage, by setting the current rating at Neutral. In the second quarter, Roku showed an EPS of $0.76, compared to $0.82 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $98.44 and a 52-week-low of $38.27. Roku closed at $70.04 at the end of the last trading period.

With a Buy rating, Seaport Global initiated coverage on Paramount Global PARA. The price target seems to have been set at $17.00 for Paramount Global. In the second quarter, Paramount Global showed an EPS of $0.10, compared to $0.64 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $25.93 and a 52-week-low of $11.48. At the end of the last trading period, Paramount Global closed at $11.67.

Seaport Global initiated coverage on Netflix Inc NFLX with a Buy rating. The price target for Netflix is set to $482.00. In the second quarter, Netflix showed an EPS of $3.29, compared to $3.20 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $485.00 and a 52-week-low of $211.81. Netflix closed at $372.59 at the end of the last trading period.

For FuboTV Inc FUBO, Seaport Global initiated coverage, by setting the current rating at Neutral. For the second quarter, FuboTV had an EPS of $0.12, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.45. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $4.72 and a 52-week-low of $0.96. FuboTV closed at $2.43 at the end of the last trading period.

With a Buy rating, Seaport Global initiated coverage on Comcast Corp CMCSA. The price target seems to have been set at $53.00 for Comcast. In the second quarter, Comcast showed an EPS of $1.13, compared to $1.01 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $47.45 and a 52-week-low of $28.39. Comcast closed at $43.02 at the end of the last trading period.

With a Buy rating, Seaport Global initiated coverage on AMC Networks Inc AMCX. The price target seems to have been set at $16.00 for AMC Networks. AMC Networks earned $2.02 in the second quarter, compared to $2.06 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of AMC Networks shows a 52-week-high of $27.46 and a 52-week-low of $9.96. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $11.17.

With a Buy rating, Jefferies initiated coverage on Laureate Education Inc LAUR. The price target seems to have been set at $20.00 for Laureate Education. For the second quarter, Laureate Education had an EPS of $0.35, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.25. The current stock performance of Laureate Education shows a 52-week-high of $14.80 and a 52-week-low of $9.24. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $13.55.

Citigroup initiated coverage on Veralto Corp VLTO with a Neutral rating. The price target for Veralto is set to $87.00. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $89.00 and a 52-week-low of $72.65. Veralto closed at $74.45 at the end of the last trading period.

With a Buy rating, UBS initiated coverage on MarketAxess Holdings Inc MKTX. The price target seems to have been set at $285.00 for MarketAxess Holdings. For the second quarter, MarketAxess Holdings had an EPS of $1.59, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.78. The stock has a 52-week-high of $399.78 and a 52-week-low of $200.01. At the end of the last trading period, MarketAxess Holdings closed at $225.61.

Barclays initiated coverage on Vestis Corp VSTS with a Equal-Weight rating. The price target for Vestis is set to $17.00. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $19.31 and a 52-week-low of $14.95. Vestis closed at $15.65 at the end of the last trading period.

With a Equal-Weight rating, Barclays initiated coverage on UniFirst Corp UNF. The price target seems to have been set at $160.00 for UniFirst. In the third quarter, UniFirst showed an EPS of $1.66, compared to $1.77 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $205.59 and a 52-week-low of $150.50. UniFirst closed at $159.09 at the end of the last trading period.

With a Buy rating, HSBC initiated coverage on Brookfield Asset Management Ltd BAM. The price target seems to have been set at $39.00 for Brookfield Asset Mgmt. For the second quarter, Brookfield Asset Mgmt had an EPS of $0.28, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.34. The current stock performance of Brookfield Asset Mgmt shows a 52-week-high of $47.53 and a 52-week-low of $26.79. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $31.20.

With a Hold rating, HSBC initiated coverage on Blackstone Inc BX. The price target seems to have been set at $113.00 for Blackstone. Blackstone earned $0.93 in the second quarter, compared to $1.49 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $116.78 and a 52-week-low of $71.73. Blackstone closed at $104.19 at the end of the last trading period.

Stifel initiated coverage on WK Kellogg Co KLG with a Hold rating. The price target for WK Kellogg is set to $11.00. The current stock performance of WK Kellogg shows a 52-week-high of $21.00 and a 52-week-low of $9.85. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $10.19.

With a Buy rating, Roth MKM initiated coverage on Chemomab Therapeutics Ltd CMMB. The price target seems to have been set at $7.00 for Chemomab Therapeutics. For the second quarter, Chemomab Therapeutics had an EPS of $0.72, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.54. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $5.35 and a 52-week-low of $0.80. Chemomab Therapeutics closed at $0.83 at the end of the last trading period.

With a Buy rating, JonesTrading initiated coverage on The Real Brokerage Inc REAX. The price target seems to have been set at $2.50 for Real Brokerage. In the second quarter, Real Brokerage showed an EPS of $0.02, compared to $0.02 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $1.99 and a 52-week-low of $1.00. At the end of the last trading period, Real Brokerage closed at $1.54.

With a Buy rating, Seaport Global initiated coverage on The Walt Disney Co DIS. The price target seems to have been set at $93.00 for Walt Disney. In the third quarter, Walt Disney showed an EPS of $1.03, compared to $1.09 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $118.18 and a 52-week-low of $78.73. Walt Disney closed at $80.81 at the end of the last trading period.

Bernstein initiated coverage on Charter Communications Inc CHTR with a Market Perform rating. The price target for Charter Communications is set to $463.00. Charter Communications earned $8.05 in the second quarter, compared to $8.80 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Charter Communications shows a 52-week-high of $457.66 and a 52-week-low of $297.83. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $431.78.

Bernstein initiated coverage on Fox Corp FOXA with a Market Perform rating. The price target for Fox is set to $32.00. For the fourth quarter, Fox had an EPS of $0.88, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.74. The stock has a 52-week-high of $37.26 and a 52-week-low of $28.02. At the end of the last trading period, Fox closed at $30.20.

With an Underperform rating, Bernstein initiated coverage on Paramount Global PARA. The price target seems to have been set at $11.00 for Paramount Global. In the second quarter, Paramount Global showed an EPS of $0.10, compared to $0.64 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Paramount Global shows a 52-week-high of $25.93 and a 52-week-low of $11.48. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $11.67.

Bernstein initiated coverage on Warner Bros. Discovery Inc WBD with an Outperform rating. The price target for Warner Bros. Discovery is set to $13.00. For the second quarter, Warner Bros. Discovery had an EPS of $0.51, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.05. The current stock performance of Warner Bros. Discovery shows a 52-week-high of $16.34 and a 52-week-low of $8.82. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $10.09.

With a Market Perform rating, TD Cowen initiated coverage on Fidelity National Information Services Inc FIS. The price target seems to have been set at $56.00 for Fidelity National Info. For the second quarter, Fidelity National Info had an EPS of $1.55, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.73. The stock has a 52-week-high of $85.17 and a 52-week-low of $48.57. At the end of the last trading period, Fidelity National Info closed at $54.15.

JonesTrading initiated coverage on Cullinan Oncology Inc CGEM with a Buy rating. The price target for Cullinan Oncology is set to $22.00. Cullinan Oncology earned $0.82 in the second quarter, compared to $3.77 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Cullinan Oncology shows a 52-week-high of $13.87 and a 52-week-low of $7.78. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $8.63.

With a Market Perform rating, TD Cowen initiated coverage on PayPal Holdings Inc PYPL. The price target seems to have been set at $66.00 for PayPal Holdings. For the second quarter, PayPal Holdings had an EPS of $1.16, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.93. The stock has a 52-week-high of $95.57 and a 52-week-low of $56.53. At the end of the last trading period, PayPal Holdings closed at $57.48.

Oppenheimer initiated coverage on Immunogen Inc IMGN with a Perform rating. The price target for Immunogen is set to $16.00. Immunogen earned $0.02 in the second quarter, compared to $0.24 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Immunogen shows a 52-week-high of $20.69 and a 52-week-low of $3.60. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $15.66.

Oppenheimer initiated coverage on Sutro Biopharma Inc STRO with an Outperform rating. The price target for Sutro Biopharma is set to $10.00. In the second quarter, Sutro Biopharma showed an EPS of $0.64, compared to $0.55 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $8.72 and a 52-week-low of $3.03. At the end of the last trading period, Sutro Biopharma closed at $3.38.

Bernstein initiated coverage on The Walt Disney Co DIS with an Outperform rating. The price target for Walt Disney is set to $103.00. In the third quarter, Walt Disney showed an EPS of $1.03, compared to $1.09 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $118.18 and a 52-week-low of $78.73. Walt Disney closed at $80.81 at the end of the last trading period.

TD Cowen initiated coverage on Block Inc SQ with an Outperform rating. The price target for Block is set to $59.00. In the second quarter, Block showed an EPS of $0.39, compared to $0.18 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $89.97 and a 52-week-low of $40.77. At the end of the last trading period, Block closed at $42.64.

TD Cowen initiated coverage on Global Payments Inc GPN with an Outperform rating. The price target for Global Payments is set to $150.00. Global Payments earned $2.62 in the second quarter, compared to $2.36 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $129.69 and a 52-week-low of $92.28. At the end of the last trading period, Global Payments closed at $114.12.

Bernstein initiated coverage on Netflix Inc NFLX with a Market Perform rating. The price target for Netflix is set to $375.00. Netflix earned $3.29 in the second quarter, compared to $3.20 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $485.00 and a 52-week-low of $211.81. At the end of the last trading period, Netflix closed at $372.59.

See all analyst ratings initiations.