Benzinga's Top Ratings Upgrades, Downgrades For September 5, 2023

Upgrades

For Belden Inc BDC, Goldman Sachs upgraded the previous rating of Neutral to Buy. Belden earned $1.91 in the second quarter, compared to $1.60 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $99.13 and a 52-week-low of $58.88. Belden closed at $93.96 at the end of the last trading period.

According to Argus Research, the prior rating for Catalent Inc CTLT was changed from Hold to Buy. For the fourth quarter, Catalent had an EPS of $0.09, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.08. The current stock performance of Catalent shows a 52-week-high of $97.48 and a 52-week-low of $31.45. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $50.20.

For Equity Residential EQR, Wells Fargo upgraded the previous rating of Equal-Weight to Overweight. Equity Residential earned $0.94 in the second quarter, compared to $0.89 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $77.92 and a 52-week-low of $54.60. At the end of the last trading period, Equity Residential closed at $64.00.

According to Scotiabank, the prior rating for Brixmor Property Group Inc BRX was changed from Sector Perform to Sector Outperform. Brixmor Property Group earned $0.52 in the second quarter, compared to $0.49 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $24.27 and a 52-week-low of $17.62. Brixmor Property Group closed at $21.99 at the end of the last trading period.

For Valley National Bancorp VLY, Hovde Group upgraded the previous rating of Market Perform to Outperform. Valley Ntl earned $0.28 in the second quarter, compared to $0.32 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $13.06 and a 52-week-low of $6.38. At the end of the last trading period, Valley Ntl closed at $9.44.

Susquehanna upgraded the previous rating for NetApp Inc NTAP from Neutral to Positive. NetApp earned $1.15 in the first quarter, compared to $1.20 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of NetApp shows a 52-week-high of $80.53 and a 52-week-low of $58.08. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $77.60.

B of A Securities upgraded the previous rating for Centene Corp CNC from Underperform to Neutral. For the second quarter, Centene had an EPS of $2.10, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.77. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $93.56 and a 52-week-low of $60.83. Centene closed at $61.27 at the end of the last trading period.

B of A Securities upgraded the previous rating for AllianceBernstein Holding LP AB from Neutral to Buy. In the second quarter, AllianceBernstein Holding showed an EPS of $0.61, compared to $0.71 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $44.38 and a 52-week-low of $29.05. At the end of the last trading period, AllianceBernstein Holding closed at $31.21.

B of A Securities upgraded the previous rating for Stryker Corp SYK from Neutral to Buy. For the second quarter, Stryker had an EPS of $2.54, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $2.25. The stock has a 52-week-high of $306.93 and a 52-week-low of $200.87. At the end of the last trading period, Stryker closed at $284.45.

For Woodward Inc WWD, TD Cowen upgraded the previous rating of Market Perform to Outperform. For the third quarter, Woodward had an EPS of $1.37, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.64. The stock has a 52-week-high of $133.15 and a 52-week-low of $79.26. At the end of the last trading period, Woodward closed at $129.85.

Wolfe Research upgraded the previous rating for Liberty Formula One Group FWONK from Peer Perform to Outperform. For the second quarter, Liberty Formula One Group had an EPS of $0.41, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.35. The current stock performance of Liberty Formula One Group shows a 52-week-high of $80.13 and a 52-week-low of $50.13. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $69.03.

For Hudson Pacific Properties Inc HPP, Piper Sandler upgraded the previous rating of Neutral to Overweight. For the second quarter, Hudson Pacific Properties had an EPS of $0.24, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.51. The stock has a 52-week-high of $14.67 and a 52-week-low of $4.04. At the end of the last trading period, Hudson Pacific Properties closed at $7.02.

Stifel upgraded the previous rating for Vail Resorts Inc MTN from Hold to Buy. For the third quarter, Vail Resorts had an EPS of $8.18, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $9.16. The stock has a 52-week-high of $268.24 and a 52-week-low of $202.00. At the end of the last trading period, Vail Resorts closed at $227.90.

According to RBC Capital, the prior rating for American Express Co AXP was changed from Sector Perform to Outperform. In the second quarter, American Express showed an EPS of $2.89, compared to $2.57 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $182.15 and a 52-week-low of $130.82. American Express closed at $159.62 at the end of the last trading period.

For Associated Banc-Corp ASB, Baird upgraded the previous rating of Neutral to Outperform. For the second quarter, Associated Banc had an EPS of $0.56, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.56. The current stock performance of Associated Banc shows a 52-week-high of $25.48 and a 52-week-low of $14.47. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $17.67.

UBS upgraded the previous rating for Corteva Inc CTVA from Neutral to Buy. In the second quarter, Corteva showed an EPS of $1.60, compared to $1.64 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Corteva shows a 52-week-high of $68.42 and a 52-week-low of $48.68. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $51.11.

According to Raymond James, the prior rating for Retail Opportunity Investments Corp ROIC was changed from Market Perform to Outperform. Retail Opportunity earned $0.27 in the second quarter, compared to $0.28 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Retail Opportunity shows a 52-week-high of $17.48 and a 52-week-low of $11.97. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $13.39.

According to TD Cowen, the prior rating for Domino's Pizza Inc DPZ was changed from Market Perform to Outperform. In the second quarter, Domino's Pizza showed an EPS of $3.08, compared to $2.82 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Domino's Pizza shows a 52-week-high of $409.95 and a 52-week-low of $285.84. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $391.14.

According to Raymond James, the prior rating for Regency Centers Corp REG was changed from Market Perform to Outperform. For the second quarter, Regency Centers had an EPS of $1.03, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.00. The stock has a 52-week-high of $68.56 and a 52-week-low of $52.00. At the end of the last trading period, Regency Centers closed at $62.39.

Bernstein upgraded the previous rating for Lowe's Companies Inc LOW from Market Perform to Outperform. In the second quarter, Lowe's Companies showed an EPS of $4.56, compared to $4.67 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Lowe's Companies shows a 52-week-high of $237.21 and a 52-week-low of $176.62. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $232.51.

For Oracle Corp ORCL, Barclays upgraded the previous rating of Equal-Weight to Overweight. Oracle earned $1.67 in the fourth quarter, compared to $1.54 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $127.54 and a 52-week-low of $60.78. Oracle closed at $120.93 at the end of the last trading period.

For Lululemon Athletica Inc LULU, Bernstein upgraded the previous rating of Underperform to Market Perform. Lululemon Athletica earned $2.68 in the second quarter, compared to $2.20 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $406.75 and a 52-week-low of $277.61. At the end of the last trading period, Lululemon Athletica closed at $404.19.

According to Keybanc, the prior rating for Olin Corp OLN was changed from Sector Weight to Overweight. For the second quarter, Olin had an EPS of $1.13, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $2.76. The current stock performance of Olin shows a 52-week-high of $64.70 and a 52-week-low of $41.34. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $51.98.

Goldman Sachs upgraded the previous rating for Keysight Technologies Inc KEYS from Neutral to Buy. For the third quarter, Keysight Techs had an EPS of $2.19, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $2.01. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $189.38 and a 52-week-low of $125.89. Keysight Techs closed at $133.88 at the end of the last trading period.

Goldman Sachs upgraded the previous rating for Lamb Weston Holdings Inc LW from Neutral to Buy. Lamb Weston Hldgs earned $1.22 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.65 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Lamb Weston Hldgs shows a 52-week-high of $117.38 and a 52-week-low of $74.93. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $97.28.

See all analyst ratings upgrades.

Downgrades

According to Melius Research, the prior rating for Spirit AeroSystems Holdings Inc SPR was changed from Buy to Hold. For the second quarter, Spirit AeroSystems Hldgs had an EPS of $1.46, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.21. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $38.55 and a 52-week-low of $18.80. Spirit AeroSystems Hldgs closed at $21.37 at the end of the last trading period.

According to Vertical Research, the prior rating for Olin Corp OLN was changed from Buy to Hold. In the second quarter, Olin showed an EPS of $1.13, compared to $2.76 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $64.70 and a 52-week-low of $41.34. Olin closed at $51.98 at the end of the last trading period.

According to HC Wainwright & Co., the prior rating for Acer Therapeutics Inc ACER was changed from Buy to Neutral. In the second quarter, Acer Therapeutics showed an EPS of $0.33, compared to $0.17 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $4.52 and a 52-week-low of $0.55. At the end of the last trading period, Acer Therapeutics closed at $1.14.

Wells Fargo downgraded the previous rating for Equity Lifestyle Properties Inc ELS from Overweight to Equal-Weight. Equity Lifestyle Props earned $0.66 in the second quarter, compared to $0.64 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $74.40 and a 52-week-low of $57.01. At the end of the last trading period, Equity Lifestyle Props closed at $66.51.

For General Mills Inc GIS, Exane BNP Paribas downgraded the previous rating of Outperform to Neutral. For the fourth quarter, General Mills had an EPS of $1.12, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.12. The stock has a 52-week-high of $90.89 and a 52-week-low of $65.91. At the end of the last trading period, General Mills closed at $66.25.

UBS downgraded the previous rating for ResMed Inc RMD from Buy to Neutral. In the fourth quarter, ResMed showed an EPS of $1.60, compared to $1.49 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $243.52 and a 52-week-low of $157.73. ResMed closed at $159.19 at the end of the last trading period.

According to B of A Securities, the prior rating for Agiliti Inc AGTI was changed from Neutral to Underperform. For the second quarter, Agiliti had an EPS of $0.14, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.19. The current stock performance of Agiliti shows a 52-week-high of $20.11 and a 52-week-low of $9.34. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $9.79.

According to RBC Capital, the prior rating for Bread Financial Holdings Inc BFH was changed from Outperform to Sector Perform. In the second quarter, Bread Finl Hldgs showed an EPS of $1.27, compared to $0.25 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $44.52 and a 52-week-low of $23.19. At the end of the last trading period, Bread Finl Hldgs closed at $38.73.

Compass Point downgraded the previous rating for NewLake Capital Partners Inc NLCP from Buy to Neutral. The current stock performance of NewLake Capital Partners shows a 52-week-high of $19.50 and a 52-week-low of $11.80. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $14.29.

Compass Point downgraded the previous rating for Innovative Industrial Properties Inc IIPR from Buy to Neutral. Innovative Ind Props earned $2.26 in the second quarter, compared to $2.14 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $125.10 and a 52-week-low of $63.36. Innovative Ind Props closed at $87.72 at the end of the last trading period.

For Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance Inc REFI, Compass Point downgraded the previous rating of Buy to Neutral. For the second quarter, Chicago Atlantic Real had an EPS of $0.55, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.50. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $16.50 and a 52-week-low of $12.91. Chicago Atlantic Real closed at $15.21 at the end of the last trading period.

Piper Sandler downgraded the previous rating for Douglas Emmett Inc DEI from Overweight to Neutral. Douglas Emmett earned $0.48 in the second quarter, compared to $0.51 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Douglas Emmett shows a 52-week-high of $22.15 and a 52-week-low of $10.09. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $14.03.

According to RBC Capital, the prior rating for Synchrony Financial SYF was changed from Outperform to Sector Perform. For the second quarter, Synchrony Finl had an EPS of $1.32, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.60. The current stock performance of Synchrony Finl shows a 52-week-high of $40.88 and a 52-week-low of $26.59. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $32.66.

Raymond James downgraded the previous rating for Bread Financial Holdings Inc BFH from Outperform to Sector Perform. Bread Finl Hldgs earned $1.27 in the second quarter, compared to $0.25 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Bread Finl Hldgs shows a 52-week-high of $44.52 and a 52-week-low of $23.19. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $38.73.

For Federal Realty Investment Trust FRT, Raymond James downgraded the previous rating of Strong Buy to Outperform. Federal Realty Investment earned $1.67 in the second quarter, compared to $1.65 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $115.08 and a 52-week-low of $85.27. Federal Realty Investment closed at $98.06 at the end of the last trading period.

Raymond James downgraded the previous rating for Kite Realty Group Trust KRG from Strong Buy to Market Perform. In the second quarter, Kite Realty Gr Trust showed an EPS of $0.51, compared to $0.49 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $24.26 and a 52-week-low of $16.43. At the end of the last trading period, Kite Realty Gr Trust closed at $22.57.

According to UBS, the prior rating for FMC Corp FMC was changed from Buy to Neutral. FMC earned $0.50 in the second quarter, compared to $1.93 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of FMC shows a 52-week-high of $134.38 and a 52-week-low of $85.68. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $86.09.

Seaport Global downgraded the previous rating for Eos Energy Enterprises Inc EOSE from Buy to Neutral. In the second quarter, Eos Energy Enterprises showed an EPS of $1.12, compared to $1.01 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Eos Energy Enterprises shows a 52-week-high of $5.67 and a 52-week-low of $0.96. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $3.85.

See all analyst ratings downgrades.

Initiations

With a Buy rating, Citigroup initiated coverage on Braze Inc BRZE. The price target seems to have been set at $60.00 for Braze. Braze earned $0.13 in the first quarter, compared to $0.19 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $47.64 and a 52-week-low of $22.62. At the end of the last trading period, Braze closed at $47.02.

With a Buy rating, Citigroup initiated coverage on HubSpot Inc HUBS. The price target seems to have been set at $695.00 for HubSpot. In the second quarter, HubSpot showed an EPS of $1.34, compared to $0.44 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $581.40 and a 52-week-low of $245.85. At the end of the last trading period, HubSpot closed at $551.61.

Citigroup initiated coverage on ZoomInfo Technologies Inc ZI with a Neutral rating. The price target for ZoomInfo Technologies is set to $19.00. ZoomInfo Technologies earned $0.26 in the second quarter, compared to $0.21 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of ZoomInfo Technologies shows a 52-week-high of $48.76 and a 52-week-low of $17.34. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $18.58.

With a Buy rating, Ladenburg Thalmann initiated coverage on Sonoma Pharmaceuticals Inc SNOA. The price target seems to have been set at $3.25 for Sonoma Pharmaceuticals. Sonoma Pharmaceuticals earned $0.29 in the first quarter, compared to $0.29 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $3.34 and a 52-week-low of $0.76. Sonoma Pharmaceuticals closed at $0.92 at the end of the last trading period.

With an Outperform rating, Exane BNP Paribas initiated coverage on Phinia Inc PHIN. The price target seems to have been set at $36.00 for Phinia. The current stock performance of Phinia shows a 52-week-high of $36.99 and a 52-week-low of $24.49. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $28.38.

Northland Capital Markets initiated coverage on Clean Energy Fuels Corp CLNE with an Outperform rating. The price target for Clean Energy Fuels is set to $7.50. In the second quarter, Clean Energy Fuels showed an EPS of $0.00, compared to $0.00 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Clean Energy Fuels shows a 52-week-high of $7.73 and a 52-week-low of $3.83. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $4.25.

Craig-Hallum initiated coverage on Bowman Consulting Group Ltd BWMN with a Buy rating. The price target for Bowman Consulting Group is set to $46.00. In the second quarter, Bowman Consulting Group showed an EPS of $0.05, compared to $0.03 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Bowman Consulting Group shows a 52-week-high of $36.36 and a 52-week-low of $14.00. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $28.49.

Craig-Hallum initiated coverage on Pulmonx Corp LUNG with a Buy rating. The price target for Pulmonx is set to $18.00. In the second quarter, Pulmonx showed an EPS of $0.43, compared to $0.40 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Pulmonx shows a 52-week-high of $20.86 and a 52-week-low of $4.07. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $10.22.

With a Sector Perform rating, RBC Capital initiated coverage on Paychex Inc PAYX. The price target seems to have been set at $130.00 for Paychex. Paychex earned $0.97 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.81 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $129.70 and a 52-week-low of $104.09. At the end of the last trading period, Paychex closed at $122.40.

RBC Capital initiated coverage on Automatic Data Processing Inc ADP with a Sector Perform rating. The price target for Automatic Data Processing is set to $267.00. In the fourth quarter, Automatic Data Processing showed an EPS of $1.89, compared to $1.50 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $273.89 and a 52-week-low of $201.46. Automatic Data Processing closed at $255.75 at the end of the last trading period.

With a Buy rating, BTIG initiated coverage on Diamond Offshore Drilling Inc DO. The price target seems to have been set at $20.00 for Diamond Offshore Drilling. In the second quarter, Diamond Offshore Drilling showed an EPS of $0.04, compared to $0.22 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $16.52 and a 52-week-low of $6.13. At the end of the last trading period, Diamond Offshore Drilling closed at $15.26.

With an Outperform rating, RBC Capital initiated coverage on Pyxis Oncology Inc PYXS. The price target seems to have been set at $7.00 for Pyxis Oncology. Pyxis Oncology earned $0.41 in the second quarter, compared to $0.79 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $6.92 and a 52-week-low of $1.10. Pyxis Oncology closed at $2.32 at the end of the last trading period.

With a Neutral rating, B of A Securities initiated coverage on Mid-America Apartment Communities Inc MAA. The price target seems to have been set at $158.00 for Mid-America Apartment. For the second quarter, Mid-America Apartment had an EPS of $2.28, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $2.02. The stock has a 52-week-high of $176.36 and a 52-week-low of $138.68. At the end of the last trading period, Mid-America Apartment closed at $144.27.

With a Buy rating, HC Wainwright & Co. initiated coverage on Acelyrin Inc SLRN. The price target seems to have been set at $44.00 for Acelyrin. Acelyrin earned $0.40 in the second quarter, compared to $9.12 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $29.88 and a 52-week-low of $16.60. At the end of the last trading period, Acelyrin closed at $27.12.

HC Wainwright & Co. initiated coverage on SoundHound AI Inc SOUN with a Buy rating. The price target for SoundHound AI is set to $5.00. SoundHound AI earned $0.10 in the second quarter, compared to $0.19 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $5.11 and a 52-week-low of $0.93. SoundHound AI closed at $2.52 at the end of the last trading period.

With a Market Perform rating, BMO Capital initiated coverage on The Duckhorn Portfolio Inc NAPA. The price target seems to have been set at $14.00 for Duckhorn Portfolio. Duckhorn Portfolio earned $0.16 in the third quarter, compared to $0.17 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $18.89 and a 52-week-low of $12.17. Duckhorn Portfolio closed at $12.22 at the end of the last trading period.

With a Buy rating, Citigroup initiated coverage on Sana Biotechnology Inc SANA. The price target seems to have been set at $8.00 for Sana Biotechnology. Sana Biotechnology earned $0.45 in the second quarter, compared to $0.47 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $8.01 and a 52-week-low of $2.99. At the end of the last trading period, Sana Biotechnology closed at $5.34.

Citigroup initiated coverage on Cabaletta Bio Inc CABA with a Buy rating. The price target for Cabaletta Bio is set to $22.00. Cabaletta Bio earned $0.37 in the second quarter, compared to $0.45 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $15.39 and a 52-week-low of $0.59. At the end of the last trading period, Cabaletta Bio closed at $13.32.

Stifel initiated coverage on Patterson-UTI Energy Inc PTEN with a Buy rating. The price target for Patterson-UTI Energy is set to $19.00. For the second quarter, Patterson-UTI Energy had an EPS of $0.43, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.05. The stock has a 52-week-high of $19.81 and a 52-week-low of $9.70. At the end of the last trading period, Patterson-UTI Energy closed at $14.91.

UBS initiated coverage on Dine Brands Global Inc DIN with a Buy rating. The price target for Dine Brands Global is set to $68.00. Dine Brands Global earned $1.82 in the second quarter, compared to $1.65 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $82.43 and a 52-week-low of $53.52. Dine Brands Global closed at $54.82 at the end of the last trading period.

See all analyst ratings initiations.