Benzinga's Top Upgrades, Downgrades For September 23, 2019

Upgrades

• Citigroup upgraded the previous rating for Advanced Energy Industries Inc AEIS from Neutral to Buy. Advanced Energy Indus earned $0.45 in the second quarter, compared to $1.25 in the year-ago quarter. The total market value of Advanced Energy Indus's outstanding shares is at $1.9 B. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $60.76 and a 52-week-low of $38.74. Advanced Energy Indus closed at $56.34 at the end of the last trading period.
• According to Guggenheim, the prior rating for Agios Pharmaceuticals Inc AGIO was changed from Neutral to Buy. In the second quarter, Agios Pharmaceuticals showed an EPS of ($1.87), compared to ($1.19) from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $79.17 and a 52-week-low of $33.17. Agios Pharmaceuticals closed at $36.31 at the end of the last trading period.
• According to Wells Fargo, the prior rating for Anixter International Inc AXE was changed from Market Perform to Outperform. For the second quarter, Anixter International had an EPS of $2.05, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.53. The current market cap for Anixter International is at $1.9 B. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $73.60 and a 52-week-low of $50.05. Anixter International closed at $64.90 at the end of the last trading period.
• According to Nomura, the prior rating for Chewy Inc CHWY was changed from Neutral to Buy. In the second quarter, Chewy earned ($0.21). The current stock performance of Chewy shows a 52-week-high of $41.34 and a 52-week-low of $26.29. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $26.44.
• For Colliers International Group Inc CIGI, ScotiaBank upgraded the previous rating of Sector Perform to the current rating Sector Outperform. In the second quarter, Colliers International Gr showed an EPS of $1.10, compared to $0.95 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $80.35 and a 52-week-low of $52.01. At the end of the last trading period, Colliers International Gr closed at $72.43.
• KeyBanc upgraded the previous rating for Consolidated Edison Inc ED from Sector Weight to Overweight. In the second quarter, Consolidated Edison showed an EPS of $0.58, compared to $0.61 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $92.53 and a 52-week-low of $73.30. At the end of the last trading period, Consolidated Edison closed at $92.39.
• For easyJet PLC ESYJY, HSBC upgraded the previous rating of Hold to the current rating Buy. easyJet's market cap stands at $2.5 B. The stock has a 52-week-high of $19.40 and a 52-week-low of $10.64. At the end of the last trading period, easyJet closed at $13.08.
• For Exact Sciences Corp EXAS, Benchmark upgraded the previous rating of Hold to the current rating Buy. In the second quarter, Exact Sciences showed an EPS of ($0.30), compared to ($0.30) from the year-ago quarter. The current market cap for Exact Sciences is at $14.0 B. The current stock performance of Exact Sciences shows a 52-week-high of $123.99 and a 52-week-low of $53.06. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $103.97.
• According to BTIG, the prior rating for Green Brick Partners Inc GRBK was changed from Neutral to Buy. For the second quarter, Green Brick Partners had an EPS of $0.29, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.41. The current market cap for Green Brick Partners is at $523.2 M. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $10.93 and a 52-week-low of $6.65. Green Brick Partners closed at $10.80 at the end of the last trading period.
• According to Needham, the prior rating for Juniper Networks Inc JNPR was changed from Hold to Buy. In the second quarter, Juniper Networks showed an EPS of $0.40, compared to $0.48 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $30.80 and a 52-week-low of $22.42. At the end of the last trading period, Juniper Networks closed at $23.84.
• According to Bank of America, the prior rating for KKR & Co Inc KKR was changed from Neutral to Buy. For the second quarter, KKR & Co had an EPS of $0.39, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.49. KKR & Co's market cap stands at $6.9 B. The current stock performance of KKR & Co shows a 52-week-high of $29.43 and a 52-week-low of $18.30. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $29.14.
• For Kimberly-Clark Corp KMB, Barclays upgraded the previous rating of Equal-Weight to the current rating Overweight. In the second quarter, Kimberly-Clark showed an EPS of $1.67, compared to $1.59 from the year-ago quarter. The total market value of Kimberly-Clark's outstanding shares is at $45.9 B. The stock has a 52-week-high of $143.16 and a 52-week-low of $100.32. At the end of the last trading period, Kimberly-Clark closed at $135.04.
• For PS Business Parks Inc PSB, Citi upgraded the previous rating of Sell to the current rating Neutral. In the second quarter, PS Business Parks showed an EPS of $1.75, compared to $1.59 from the year-ago quarter. The current market cap for PS Business Parks is at $4.6 B. The stock has a 52-week-high of $186.14 and a 52-week-low of $120.21. At the end of the last trading period, PS Business Parks closed at $180.26.
• Guggenheim upgraded the previous rating for Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc REGN from Neutral to Buy. In the second quarter, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals showed an EPS of $6.04, compared to $5.45 from the year-ago quarter. The total market value of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals's outstanding shares is at $594.3 M. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $442.00 and a 52-week-low of $271.57. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals closed at $295.87 at the end of the last trading period.

Downgrades

• For Alcoa Corp AA, Goldman Sachs downgraded the previous rating of Buy to the current rating Neutral. In the second quarter, Alcoa showed an EPS of ($0.01), compared to $1.52 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $45.45 and a 52-week-low of $16.46. Alcoa closed at $21.70 at the end of the last trading period.
• JP Morgan downgraded the previous rating for AK Steel Holding Corp AKS from Overweight to Underweight. For the second quarter, AK Steel Holding had an EPS of $0.21, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.18. The current stock performance of AK Steel Holding shows a 52-week-high of $5.11 and a 52-week-low of $1.66. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $2.42.
• Citigroup downgraded the previous rating for Brooks Automation Inc BRKS from Buy to Neutral. In the third quarter, Brooks Automation showed an EPS of $0.20, compared to $0.46 from the year-ago quarter. The total market value of Brooks Automation's outstanding shares is at $2.3 B. The stock has a 52-week-high of $42.25 and a 52-week-low of $23.02. At the end of the last trading period, Brooks Automation closed at $39.40.
• Hovde Group downgraded the previous rating for Capital City Bank Group Inc CCBG from Outperform to Market Perform. Capital City Bank Group earned $0.44 in the second quarter, compared to $0.35 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Capital City Bank Group shows a 52-week-high of $28.00 and a 52-week-low of $19.92. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $27.52.
• JP Morgan downgraded the previous rating for Cleveland-Cliffs Inc CLF from Overweight to Neutral. Cleveland-Cliffs earned $0.63 in the second quarter, compared to $0.76 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $13.10 and a 52-week-low of $6.64. Cleveland-Cliffs closed at $7.73 at the end of the last trading period.
• Citigroup downgraded the previous rating for Continental Resources Inc CLR from Buy to Neutral. Continental Resources earned $0.59 in the second quarter, compared to $0.73 in the year-ago quarter. The total market value of Continental Resources's outstanding shares is at $20.8 B. The stock has a 52-week-high of $71.95 and a 52-week-low of $27.54. At the end of the last trading period, Continental Resources closed at $34.13.
• According to Barclays, the prior rating for Clorox Co CLX was changed from Equal-Weight to Underweight. For the fourth quarter, Clorox had an EPS of $1.88, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.66. Clorox's market cap stands at $365.0 M. The current stock performance of Clorox shows a 52-week-high of $167.70 and a 52-week-low of $141.53. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $151.78.
• For Commercial Metals Co CMC, Goldman Sachs downgraded the previous rating of Buy to the current rating Neutral. In the third quarter, Commercial Metals showed an EPS of $0.67, compared to $0.41 from the year-ago quarter. The current market cap for Commercial Metals is at $1.9 B. The stock has a 52-week-high of $21.90 and a 52-week-low of $13.27. At the end of the last trading period, Commercial Metals closed at $17.96.
• According to Sandler O'Neill, the prior rating for Central Valley Community Bancorp CVCY was changed from Buy to Hold. For the second quarter, Central Valley Community had an EPS of $0.45, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.36. The current market cap for Central Valley Community is at $267.9 M. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $21.89 and a 52-week-low of $15.66. Central Valley Community closed at $21.52 at the end of the last trading period.
• For Concho Resources Inc CXO, Citigroup downgraded the previous rating of Buy to the current rating Neutral. Concho Resources earned $0.69 in the second quarter, compared to $1.24 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $160.81 and a 52-week-low of $63.92. Concho Resources closed at $73.23 at the end of the last trading period.
• KeyBanc downgraded the previous rating for Icon PLC ICLR from Overweight to Sector Weight. Icon earned $1.69 in the second quarter, compared to $1.54 in the year-ago quarter. Icon's market cap stands at $2.8 B. The stock has a 52-week-high of $165.13 and a 52-week-low of $118.10. At the end of the last trading period, Icon closed at $154.72.
• For Illinois Tool Works Inc ITW, Goldman Sachs downgraded the previous rating of Neutral to the current rating Sell. For the second quarter, Illinois Tool Works had an EPS of $2.00, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.97. The current stock performance of Illinois Tool Works shows a 52-week-high of $161.71 and a 52-week-low of $117.75. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $155.09.
• According to Citi, the prior rating for Noble Corp PLC NE was changed from Neutral to Sell. Noble earned ($0.34) in the second quarter, compared to ($0.49) in the year-ago quarter. The current market cap for Noble is at $3.8 B. The stock has a 52-week-high of $7.44 and a 52-week-low of $0.99. At the end of the last trading period, Noble closed at $1.87.
• For Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust PEI, Citi downgraded the previous rating of Neutral to the current rating Sell. For the second quarter, Pennsylvania REIT had an EPS of $0.22, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.39. The total market value of Pennsylvania REIT's outstanding shares is at $183.2 M. The stock has a 52-week-high of $9.80 and a 52-week-low of $4.34. At the end of the last trading period, Pennsylvania REIT closed at $5.60.

Initiations

• With a current rating of Buy, Redburn initiated coverage on Accenture PLC ACN. The price target seems to have been set at $227.00 for Accenture. For the third quarter, Accenture had an EPS of $1.93, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.79. Accenture's market cap stands at $122.8 B. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $202.80 and a 52-week-low of $132.63. Accenture closed at $192.99 at the end of the last trading period.
• SunTrust Robinson Humphrey initiated coverage on Apache Corp APA with a Buy rating. The price target for Apache is set to $32.00. Apache earned $0.11 in the second quarter, compared to $0.50 in the year-ago quarter. Apache's market cap stands at $240.5 M. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $50.03 and a 52-week-low of $19.44. Apache closed at $25.89 at the end of the last trading period.
• Needham initiated coverage on Autolus Therapeutics PLC AUTL with a Buy rating. The price target for Autolus Therapeutics is set to $26.00. Interestingly, in the second quarter, Autolus Therapeutics's EPS was ($0.65). The total market value of Autolus Therapeutics's outstanding shares is at $693.6 M. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $53.24 and a 52-week-low of $9.50. Autolus Therapeutics closed at $13.09 at the end of the last trading period.
• Exane BNP Paribas initiated coverage on Beyond Meat Inc BYND with an Underperform rating. In the second quarter, Beyond Meat showed an EPS of $0.06, compared to ($1.22) from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $239.71 and a 52-week-low of $45.00. At the end of the last trading period, Beyond Meat closed at $155.26.
• Bank of America initiated coverage on Cadence Design Systems Inc CDNS with a Neutral rating. The price target for Cadence Design Systems is set to $73.00. In the second quarter, Cadence Design Systems showed an EPS of $0.57, compared to $0.45 from the year-ago quarter. Cadence Design Systems's market cap stands at $17.8 B. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $77.08 and a 52-week-low of $39.08. Cadence Design Systems closed at $66.01 at the end of the last trading period.
• Consumer Edge Research initiated coverage on CF Industries Holdings Inc CF with an Overweight rating. In the second quarter, CF Industries Holdings showed an EPS of $1.12, compared to $0.63 from the year-ago quarter. The total market value of CF Industries Holdings's outstanding shares is at $6.2 B. The current stock performance of CF Industries Holdings shows a 52-week-high of $56.51 and a 52-week-low of $38.90. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $49.27.
• National Securities initiated coverage on Capital Southwest Corp CSWC with a Buy rating. The price target for Capital Southwest is set to $23.00. Capital Southwest earned $0.42 in the first quarter, compared to $0.31 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $24.18 and a 52-week-low of $17.22. At the end of the last trading period, Capital Southwest closed at $22.04.
• With a current rating of Buy, Compass Point initiated coverage on Easterly Government Properties Inc DEA. The price target seems to have been set at $25.00 for Easterly Government Props. Easterly Government Props earned $0.29 in the second quarter, compared to $0.25 in the year-ago quarter. Easterly Government Props's market cap stands at $882.7 M. The current stock performance of Easterly Government Props shows a 52-week-high of $21.38 and a 52-week-low of $15.16. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $20.98.
• With a current rating of Neutral, Macquarie initiated coverage on Encana Corp ECA. The price target seems to have been set at $5.50 for Encana. Encana earned $0.21 in the second quarter, compared to $0.21 in the year-ago quarter. Encana's market cap stands at $7.2 B. The stock has a 52-week-high of $13.61 and a 52-week-low of $3.92. At the end of the last trading period, Encana closed at $4.93.
• With a current rating of Buy, GMP Securities initiated coverage on VAALCO Energy Inc EGY. The price target seems to have been set at $3.00 for VAALCO Energy. In the second quarter, VAALCO Energy showed an EPS of $0.13, compared to $0.14 from the year-ago quarter. The current market cap for VAALCO Energy is at $45.2 M. The stock has a 52-week-high of $2.88 and a 52-week-low of $1.22. At the end of the last trading period, VAALCO Energy closed at $2.09.
• With a current rating of Overweight, Barclays initiated coverage on Elanco Animal Health Inc ELAN. The price target seems to have been set at $36.00 for Elanco Animal Health. In the second quarter, Elanco Animal Health earned $0.28. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $37.61 and a 52-week-low of $25.51. Elanco Animal Health closed at $27.46 at the end of the last trading period.
• Piper Jaffray initiated coverage on Edwards Lifesciences Corp EW with an Overweight rating. The price target for Edwards Lifesciences is set to $240.00. Edwards Lifesciences earned $1.38 in the second quarter, compared to $1.24 in the year-ago quarter. The total market value of Edwards Lifesciences's outstanding shares is at $2.7 B. The stock has a 52-week-high of $228.19 and a 52-week-low of $136.44. At the end of the last trading period, Edwards Lifesciences closed at $219.56.
• Wells Fargo initiated coverage on G-III Apparel Group Ltd GIII with a Market Perform rating. The price target for G-III Apparel Group is set to $26.00. In the second quarter, G-III Apparel Group showed an EPS of $0.23, compared to $0.22 from the year-ago quarter. G-III Apparel Group's market cap stands at $1.4 B. The stock has a 52-week-high of $48.79 and a 52-week-low of $18.18. At the end of the last trading period, G-III Apparel Group closed at $24.06.
• Citigroup initiated coverage on Hess Corp HES with a Neutral rating. The price target for Hess is set to $70.00. In the second quarter, Hess showed an EPS of ($0.09), compared to ($0.23) from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $74.81 and a 52-week-low of $35.59. Hess closed at $65.69 at the end of the last trading period.
• Piper Jaffray initiated coverage on Lululemon Athletica Inc LULU with an Overweight rating. The price target for Lululemon Athletica is set to $227.00. Lululemon Athletica earned $0.96 in the second quarter, compared to $0.71 in the year-ago quarter. The current market cap for Lululemon Athletica is at $15.8 B. The stock has a 52-week-high of $204.44 and a 52-week-low of $110.71. At the end of the last trading period, Lululemon Athletica closed at $189.30.
• Consumer Edge Research initiated coverage on The Mosaic Co MOS with a Equal-Weight rating. The price target for Mosaic is set to $22.00. In the second quarter, Mosaic showed an EPS of $0.12, compared to $0.40 from the year-ago quarter. The total market value of Mosaic's outstanding shares is at $28.4 B. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $37.37 and a 52-week-low of $17.36. Mosaic closed at $20.70 at the end of the last trading period.
• Citigroup initiated coverage on Marathon Oil Corp MRO with a Neutral rating. The price target for Marathon Oil is set to $13.00. For the second quarter, Marathon Oil had an EPS of $0.23, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.15. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $24.20 and a 52-week-low of $11.39. Marathon Oil closed at $13.18 at the end of the last trading period.
• Consumer Edge Research initiated coverage on Nutrien Ltd NTR with an Overweight rating. The price target for Nutrien is set to $67.00. Nutrien earned $1.58 in the second quarter, compared to $1.17 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $58.99 and a 52-week-low of $43.96. At the end of the last trading period, Nutrien closed at $51.59.
• SunTrust Robinson Humphrey initiated coverage on Occidental Petroleum Corp OXY with a Hold rating. The price target for Occidental Petroleum is set to $48.00. In the second quarter, Occidental Petroleum showed an EPS of $0.97, compared to $1.10 from the year-ago quarter. The total market value of Occidental Petroleum's outstanding shares is at $20.2 B. The current stock performance of Occidental Petroleum shows a 52-week-high of $83.35 and a 52-week-low of $41.83. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $45.69.
• With a current rating of Buy, Bank of America initiated coverage on PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust PMT. The price target seems to have been set at $23.00 for PennyMac Mortgage. For the second quarter, PennyMac Mortgage had an EPS of $0.50, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.47. PennyMac Mortgage's market cap stands at $1.4 B. The stock has a 52-week-high of $22.62 and a 52-week-low of $17.88. At the end of the last trading period, PennyMac Mortgage closed at $22.15.