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

Upgrades

UBS upgraded the previous rating for Ingredion Inc (NYSE: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 (NASDAQ: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 (NASDAQ: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 (NYSE: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 (NYSE: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 (NASDAQ: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 (NYSE: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 (NYSE: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 (NASDAQ: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 (NYSE: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 (NASDAQ: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 (NYSE: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 (NASDAQ: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 (NASDAQ: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 (NASDAQ: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 (NASDAQ: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 (NASDAQ: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 (NYSE: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 (NASDAQ: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 (NASDAQ: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 (NASDAQ: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 (NYSE: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 (NYSE: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 (NYSE: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 (NYSE: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 (NYSE: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 (NASDAQ: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 (NASDAQ: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) (NASDAQ: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 (NASDAQ: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 (NASDAQ: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 (NASDAQ: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 (NASDAQ: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 (NASDAQ: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 (NYSE: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 (NASDAQ: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 (NASDAQ: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 (NASDAQ: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 (NYSE: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 (NASDAQ: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 (NASDAQ: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 (NASDAQ: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 (NYSE: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 (NASDAQ: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.