Benzinga's Top Ratings Upgrades, Downgrades For March 20, 2023
Upgrades
According to Seaport Global, the prior rating for Sonoco Products Co (NYSE:SON) was changed from Neutral to Buy. Sonoco Prods earned $1.27 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.90 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $67.06 and a 52-week-low of $51.63. At the end of the last trading period, Sonoco Prods closed at $54.10.
According to Maxim Group, the prior rating for Panbela Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:PBLA) was changed from Hold to Buy. Panbela Therapeutics earned $5.68 in the fourth quarter, compared to $10.40 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $87.60 and a 52-week-low of $0.41. Panbela Therapeutics closed at $0.51 at the end of the last trading period.
Northcoast Research upgraded the previous rating for Live Nation Entertainment Inc (NYSE:LYV) from Neutral to Buy. For the fourth quarter, Live Nation Entertainment had an EPS of $1.09, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.96. The current stock performance of Live Nation Entertainment shows a 52-week-high of $121.17 and a 52-week-low of $65.11. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $66.34.
US Tiger Securities, Inc upgraded the previous rating for Coinbase Global Inc (NASDAQ:COIN) from Hold to Buy. In the fourth quarter, Coinbase Glb showed an EPS of $2.46, compared to $3.32 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Coinbase Glb shows a 52-week-high of $206.78 and a 52-week-low of $31.55. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $74.98.
Exane BNP Paribas upgraded the previous rating for The Beauty Health Co (NASDAQ:SKIN) from Underperform to Neutral. Beauty Health earned $0.05 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.12 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $19.37 and a 52-week-low of $8.26. Beauty Health closed at $11.31 at the end of the last trading period.
Northcoast Research upgraded the previous rating for The Kroger Co (NYSE:KR) from Neutral to Buy. In the fourth quarter, Kroger showed an EPS of $0.99, compared to $0.91 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $62.74 and a 52-week-low of $41.81. At the end of the last trading period, Kroger closed at $46.78.
According to B of A Securities, the prior rating for NRG Energy Inc (NYSE:NRG) was changed from Neutral to Buy. NRG Energy earned $4.56 in the fourth quarter, compared to $1.74 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $47.78 and a 52-week-low of $30.25. NRG Energy closed at $31.48 at the end of the last trading period.
Wolfe Research upgraded the previous rating for United States Steel Corp (NYSE:X) from Underperform to Peer Perform. For the fourth quarter, United States Steel had an EPS of $0.87, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $3.64. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $39.24 and a 52-week-low of $16.42. United States Steel closed at $23.97 at the end of the last trading period.
For Cleveland-Cliffs Inc (NYSE:CLF), Wolfe Research upgraded the previous rating of Underperform to Peer Perform. In the fourth quarter, Cleveland-Cliffs showed an EPS of $0.30, compared to $1.78 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $34.03 and a 52-week-low of $11.82. Cleveland-Cliffs closed at $17.36 at the end of the last trading period.
According to Redburn Partners, the prior rating for Verisk Analytics Inc (NASDAQ:VRSK) was changed from Sell to Neutral. For the fourth quarter, Verisk Analytics had an EPS of $1.43, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.47. The current stock performance of Verisk Analytics shows a 52-week-high of $222.11 and a 52-week-low of $156.07. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $180.07.
Benchmark upgraded the previous rating for Aspen Aerogels Inc (NYSE:ASPN) from Hold to Buy. Aspen Aerogels earned $0.20 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.50 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Aspen Aerogels shows a 52-week-high of $38.00 and a 52-week-low of $6.37. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $6.81.
William Blair upgraded the previous rating for VF Corp (NYSE:VFC) from Sell to Buy. For the third quarter, VF had an EPS of $1.12, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.35. The current stock performance of VF shows a 52-week-high of $60.02 and a 52-week-low of $20.14. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $21.42.
For Brookfield Corp (NYSE:BN), Credit Suisse upgraded the previous rating of Neutral to Outperform. For the fourth quarter, Brookfield had an EPS of $1.12, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.04. The stock has a 52-week-high of $48.17 and a 52-week-low of $28.25. At the end of the last trading period, Brookfield closed at $28.62.
According to Citigroup, the prior rating for WestRock Co (NYSE:WRK) was changed from Neutral to Buy. For the first quarter, WestRock had an EPS of $0.55, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.65. The stock has a 52-week-high of $54.76 and a 52-week-low of $26.84. At the end of the last trading period, WestRock closed at $27.07.
Bernstein upgraded the previous rating for PepsiCo Inc (NASDAQ:PEP) from Underperform to Market Perform. PepsiCo earned $1.67 in the fourth quarter, compared to $1.53 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of PepsiCo shows a 52-week-high of $186.81 and a 52-week-low of $154.86. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $175.13.
Wedbush upgraded the previous rating for New York Community Bancorp Inc (NYSE:NYCB) from Neutral to Outperform. New York Community earned $0.25 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.31 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of New York Community shows a 52-week-high of $11.29 and a 52-week-low of $5.81. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $6.54.
Edward Jones upgraded the previous rating for Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:META) from Hold to Buy. In the fourth quarter, Meta Platforms showed an EPS of $1.76, compared to $3.67 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $205.76 and a 52-week-low of $88.10. Meta Platforms closed at $195.61 at the end of the last trading period.
Raymond James upgraded the previous rating for PowerSchool Holdings Inc (NYSE:PWSC) from Market Perform to Outperform. For the fourth quarter, PowerSchool Holdings had an EPS of $0.27, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.14. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $26.05 and a 52-week-low of $10.63. PowerSchool Holdings closed at $18.46 at the end of the last trading period.
Raymond James upgraded the previous rating for Enphase Energy Inc (NASDAQ:ENPH) from Market Perform to Outperform. Enphase Energy earned $1.51 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.73 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Enphase Energy shows a 52-week-high of $339.88 and a 52-week-low of $128.68. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $183.64.
For New York Community Bancorp Inc (NYSE:NYCB), Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upgraded the previous rating of Market Perform to Outperform. For the fourth quarter, New York Community had an EPS of $0.25, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.31. The stock has a 52-week-high of $11.29 and a 52-week-low of $5.81. At the end of the last trading period, New York Community closed at $6.54.
According to Mizuho, the prior rating for EastGroup Properties Inc (NYSE:EGP) was changed from Neutral to Buy. EastGroup Props earned $1.82 in the fourth quarter, compared to $1.62 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $217.35 and a 52-week-low of $137.47. EastGroup Props closed at $158.56 at the end of the last trading period.
Stifel upgraded the previous rating for Portillos Inc (NASDAQ:PTLO) from Hold to Buy. Portillos earned $0.08 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.52 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $28.93 and a 52-week-low of $14.84. At the end of the last trading period, Portillos closed at $20.23.
For Dow Inc (NYSE:DOW), Deutsche Bank upgraded the previous rating of Hold to Buy. For the fourth quarter, Dow had an EPS of $0.46, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $2.15. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $71.85 and a 52-week-low of $42.92. Dow closed at $50.02 at the end of the last trading period.
According to Deutsche Bank, the prior rating for LyondellBasell Industries NV (NYSE:LYB) was changed from Hold to Buy. In the fourth quarter, LyondellBasell Industries showed an EPS of $1.29, compared to $3.63 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $117.16 and a 52-week-low of $71.50. LyondellBasell Industries closed at $84.68 at the end of the last trading period.
Deutsche Bank upgraded the previous rating for Conagra Brands Inc (NYSE:CAG) from Sell to Hold. For the second quarter, Conagra Brands had an EPS of $0.81, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.64. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $41.30 and a 52-week-low of $31.02. Conagra Brands closed at $35.52 at the end of the last trading period.
According to Deutsche Bank, the prior rating for Kimberly-Clark Corp (NYSE:KMB) was changed from Sell to Hold. In the fourth quarter, Kimberly-Clark showed an EPS of $1.54, compared to $1.30 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $144.51 and a 52-week-low of $108.77. At the end of the last trading period, Kimberly-Clark closed at $125.37.
For U.S. Bancorp (NYSE:USB), Baird upgraded the previous rating of Neutral to Outperform. U.S. Bancorp earned $1.20 in the fourth quarter, compared to $1.07 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $57.91 and a 52-week-low of $32.72. U.S. Bancorp closed at $32.95 at the end of the last trading period.
Jefferies upgraded the previous rating for Unum Group (NYSE:UNM) from Hold to Buy. In the fourth quarter, Unum Gr showed an EPS of $1.43, compared to $0.89 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $46.61 and a 52-week-low of $28.68. Unum Gr closed at $36.65 at the end of the last trading period.
Wolfe Research upgraded the previous rating for American Airlines Group Inc (NASDAQ:AAL) from Underperform to Peer Perform. For the fourth quarter, American Airlines Group had an EPS of $1.17, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.42. The stock has a 52-week-high of $21.42 and a 52-week-low of $11.65. At the end of the last trading period, American Airlines Group closed at $13.98.
According to Wolfe Research, the prior rating for Warner Bros. Discovery Inc (NASDAQ:WBD) was changed from Peer Perform to Outperform. For the fourth quarter, Warner Bros. Discovery had an EPS of $0.37, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.08. The stock has a 52-week-high of $27.50 and a 52-week-low of $8.82. At the end of the last trading period, Warner Bros. Discovery closed at $14.34.
See all analyst ratings upgrades.
Downgrades
For Pear Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:PEAR), Chardan Capital downgraded the previous rating of Buy to Neutral. The stock has a 52-week-high of $6.70 and a 52-week-low of $0.30. At the end of the last trading period, Pear Therapeutics closed at $0.39.
For Lifecore Biomedical Inc (NASDAQ:LFCR), Stephens & Co. downgraded the previous rating of Overweight to Equal-Weight. In the second quarter, Lifecore Biomedical 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 $9.24 and a 52-week-low of $1.52. Lifecore Biomedical closed at $1.67 at the end of the last trading period.
For Pear Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:PEAR), TD Cowen downgraded the previous rating of Outperform to Market Perform. The current stock performance of Pear Therapeutics shows a 52-week-high of $6.70 and a 52-week-low of $0.30. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $0.39.
TD Cowen downgraded the previous rating for Cyxtera Technologies Inc (NASDAQ:CYXT) from Outperform to Market Perform. Cyxtera Technologies earned $0.31 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.40 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $15.30 and a 52-week-low of $1.32. At the end of the last trading period, Cyxtera Technologies closed at $1.39.
For 9 Meters Biopharma Inc (NASDAQ:NMTR), Truist Securities downgraded the previous rating of Buy to Hold. 9 Meters Biopharma earned $0.72 in the third quarter, compared to $1.06 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $13.20 and a 52-week-low of $1.00. At the end of the last trading period, 9 Meters Biopharma closed at $1.38.
According to HC Wainwright & Co., the prior rating for Co-Diagnostics Inc (NASDAQ:CODX) was changed from Buy to Neutral. For the fourth quarter, Co-Diagnostics had an EPS of $0.19, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.25. The stock has a 52-week-high of $7.13 and a 52-week-low of $2.27. At the end of the last trading period, Co-Diagnostics closed at $2.48.
Oddo Securities downgraded the previous rating for UBS Group AG (NYSE:UBS) from Neutral to Underperform. UBS Gr earned $0.50 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.38 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $22.30 and a 52-week-low of $13.81. At the end of the last trading period, UBS Gr closed at $18.20.
According to Baird, the prior rating for Diversey Holdings Ltd (NASDAQ:DSEY) was changed from Outperform to Neutral. Diversey Hldgs earned $0.09 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.16 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $10.64 and a 52-week-low of $3.95. Diversey Hldgs closed at $7.96 at the end of the last trading period.
For Pear Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:PEAR), Credit Suisse downgraded the previous rating of Outperform to Neutral. The current stock performance of Pear Therapeutics shows a 52-week-high of $6.70 and a 52-week-low of $0.30. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $0.39.
See all analyst ratings downgrades.
Initiations
EF Hutton initiated coverage on CareCloud Inc (NASDAQ:CCLD) with a Buy rating. The price target for CareCloud is set to $8.50. CareCloud earned $0.25 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.34 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $5.74 and a 52-week-low of $2.50. At the end of the last trading period, CareCloud closed at $3.21.
With a Buy rating, BTIG initiated coverage on Genius Sports Ltd (NYSE:GENI). The price target seems to have been set at $6.00 for Genius Sports. In the fourth quarter, Genius Sports showed an EPS of $0.63, compared to $0.28 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $5.82 and a 52-week-low of $2.21. Genius Sports closed at $4.51 at the end of the last trading period.
With a Neutral rating, B of A Securities initiated coverage on ESAB Corp (NYSE:ESAB). The price target seems to have been set at $63.00 for ESAB. ESAB earned $1.05 in the fourth quarter, compared to $1.05 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $63.32 and a 52-week-low of $32.20. ESAB closed at $59.06 at the end of the last trading period.
BMO Capital initiated coverage on The Lion Electric Co (NYSE:LEV) with a Market Perform rating. The price target for Lion Electric is set to $2.00. Lion Electric earned $0.02 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.14 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $9.20 and a 52-week-low of $1.84. Lion Electric closed at $1.93 at the end of the last trading period.
With an Overweight rating, JP Morgan initiated coverage on Ferguson PLC (NYSE:FERG). The price target seems to have been set at $150.00 for Ferguson. For the second quarter, Ferguson had an EPS of $1.91, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.93. The current stock performance of Ferguson shows a 52-week-high of $150.41 and a 52-week-low of $99.24. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $128.37.
For HP Inc (NYSE:HPQ), Goldman Sachs initiated coverage, by setting the current rating at Neutral. In the first quarter, HP showed an EPS of $0.75, compared to $1.10 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of HP shows a 52-week-high of $41.46 and a 52-week-low of $24.08. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $28.04.
Goldman Sachs initiated coverage on Dell Technologies Inc (NYSE:DELL) with a Buy rating. For the fourth quarter, Dell Technologies had an EPS of $1.80, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.72. The stock has a 52-week-high of $55.30 and a 52-week-low of $32.90. At the end of the last trading period, Dell Technologies closed at $37.22.
For Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co (NYSE:HPE), Goldman Sachs initiated coverage, by setting the current rating at Neutral. In the first quarter, Hewlett Packard showed an EPS of $0.63, compared to $0.53 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $17.65 and a 52-week-low of $11.90. Hewlett Packard closed at $14.10 at the end of the last trading period.
HC Wainwright & Co. initiated coverage on Icecure Medical Ltd (NASDAQ:ICCM) with a Buy rating. The price target for Icecure Medical is set to $3.00. NoneAt the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $4.72 and a 52-week-low of $0.76. Icecure Medical closed at $1.05 at the end of the last trading period.
With a Buy rating, Mizuho initiated coverage on Prologis Inc (NYSE:PLD). The price target seems to have been set at $140.00 for Prologis. In the fourth quarter, Prologis showed an EPS of $1.24, compared to $1.12 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Prologis shows a 52-week-high of $174.54 and a 52-week-low of $98.05. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $116.03.
Truist Securities initiated coverage on Roper Technologies Inc (NYSE:ROP) with a Buy rating. The price target for Roper Techs is set to $510.00. Roper Techs earned $3.92 in the fourth quarter, compared to $3.73 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Roper Techs shows a 52-week-high of $488.07 and a 52-week-low of $357.25. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $425.66.
With a Market Outperform rating, JMP Securities initiated coverage on Genius Sports Ltd (NYSE:GENI). The price target seems to have been set at $7.00 for Genius Sports. For the fourth quarter, Genius Sports had an EPS of $0.63, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.28. The current stock performance of Genius Sports shows a 52-week-high of $5.82 and a 52-week-low of $2.21. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $4.51.
With a Buy rating, UBS initiated coverage on Treehouse Foods Inc (NYSE:THS). The price target seems to have been set at $60.00 for Treehouse Foods. In the fourth quarter, Treehouse Foods showed an EPS of $0.98, compared to $0.11 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $51.55 and a 52-week-low of $30.06. Treehouse Foods closed at $45.65 at the end of the last trading period.
With a Neutral rating, UBS initiated coverage on Hostess Brands Inc (NASDAQ:TWNK). The price target seems to have been set at $26.00 for Hostess Brands. For the fourth quarter, Hostess Brands had an EPS of $0.25, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.25. The current stock performance of Hostess Brands shows a 52-week-high of $28.97 and a 52-week-low of $19.00. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $24.40.