Benzinga's Top Ratings Upgrades, Downgrades For May 31, 2022
Upgrades
Guggenheim upgraded the previous rating for Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO) from Neutral to Buy. Novo Nordisk earned $0.94 in the first quarter, compared to $0.88 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $122.16 and a 52-week-low of $78.71. At the end of the last trading period, Novo Nordisk closed at $107.74.
According to Evercore ISI Group, the prior rating for Linde PLC (NYSE:LIN) was changed from In-Line to Outperform. In the first quarter, Linde showed an EPS of $2.93, compared to $2.49 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Linde shows a 52-week-high of $352.18 and a 52-week-low of $267.51. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $329.63.
For DISH Network Corp (NASDAQ:DISH), Truist Securities upgraded the previous rating of Hold to Buy. DISH Network earned $0.68 in the first quarter, compared to $0.99 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $46.31 and a 52-week-low of $17.04. DISH Network closed at $22.30 at the end of the last trading period.
According to Wells Fargo, the prior rating for Magellan Midstream Partners LP (NYSE:MMP) was changed from Equal-Weight to Overweight. Magellan Midstream earned $1.10 in the first quarter, compared to $1.09 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $53.85 and a 52-week-low of $43.58. Magellan Midstream closed at $50.94 at the end of the last trading period.
According to Bernstein, the prior rating for Grab Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:GRAB) was changed from Market Perform to Outperform. The current stock performance of Grab Hldgs shows a 52-week-high of $13.29 and a 52-week-low of $2.26. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $2.41.
According to Wells Fargo, the prior rating for NuStar Energy LP (NYSE:NS) was changed from Equal-Weight to Overweight. In the first quarter, NuStar Energy showed an EPS of $0.19, compared to $0.05 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of NuStar Energy shows a 52-week-high of $20.73 and a 52-week-low of $12.87. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $16.03.
Baird upgraded the previous rating for Mercury Systems Inc (NASDAQ:MRCY) from Neutral to Outperform. In the third quarter, Mercury Systems showed an EPS of $0.57, compared to $0.64 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $72.28 and a 52-week-low of $44.44. Mercury Systems closed at $57.44 at the end of the last trading period.
Wells Fargo upgraded the previous rating for Nurix Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:NRIX) from Equal-Weight to Overweight. In the first quarter, Nurix Therapeutics showed an EPS of $0.95, compared to $0.63 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Nurix Therapeutics shows a 52-week-high of $37.42 and a 52-week-low of $7.52. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $9.02.
See all analyst ratings upgrades.
Downgrades
According to B of A Securities, the prior rating for NorthWestern Corp (NASDAQ:NWE) was changed from Neutral to Underperform. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $65.62 and a 52-week-low of $53.66. NorthWestern closed at $62.72 at the end of the last trading period.
BMO Capital downgraded the previous rating for JBG SMITH Properties (NYSE:JBGS) from Outperform to Market Perform. JBG SMITH Properties earned $0.34 in the first quarter, compared to $0.38 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $34.98 and a 52-week-low of $23.54. JBG SMITH Properties closed at $26.22 at the end of the last trading period.
BMO Capital downgraded the previous rating for Vornado Realty Trust (NYSE:VNO) from Outperform to Market Perform. Vornado Realty earned $0.79 in the first quarter, compared to $0.65 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $50.91 and a 52-week-low of $32.48. At the end of the last trading period, Vornado Realty closed at $35.54.
BMO Capital downgraded the previous rating for Kilroy Realty Corp (NYSE:KRC) from Outperform to Market Perform. In the first quarter, Kilroy Realty showed an EPS of $1.16, compared to $0.98 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $79.06 and a 52-week-low of $56.94. Kilroy Realty closed at $61.96 at the end of the last trading period.
For Essex Property Trust Inc (NYSE:ESS), BMO Capital downgraded the previous rating of Outperform to Market Perform. Essex Property Trust earned $3.37 in the first quarter, compared to $3.07 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $363.36 and a 52-week-low of $275.33. At the end of the last trading period, Essex Property Trust closed at $288.69.
For Sunoco LP (NYSE:SUN), Wells Fargo downgraded the previous rating of Equal-Weight to Underweight. For the first quarter, Sunoco had an EPS of $2.32, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.60. The stock has a 52-week-high of $46.95 and a 52-week-low of $34.61. At the end of the last trading period, Sunoco closed at $41.70.
For Points.com Inc (NASDAQ:PCOM), RBC Capital downgraded the previous rating of Outperform to Sector Perform. Points.com earned $0.09 in the first quarter, compared to $0.08 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $24.92 and a 52-week-low of $13.98. Points.com closed at $24.67 at the end of the last trading period.
According to Goldman Sachs, the prior rating for Steel Dynamics Inc (NASDAQ:STLD) was changed from Buy to Neutral. In the first quarter, Steel Dynamics showed an EPS of $6.02, compared to $2.10 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Steel Dynamics shows a 52-week-high of $100.37 and a 52-week-low of $50.54. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $87.79.
Morgan Stanley downgraded the previous rating for American Eagle Outfitters Inc (NYSE:AEO) from Equal-Weight to Underweight. In the first quarter, American Eagle Outfitters showed an EPS of $0.16, compared to $0.48 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of American Eagle Outfitters shows a 52-week-high of $38.99 and a 52-week-low of $11.61. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $13.09.
Wells Fargo downgraded the previous rating for Cheniere Energy Partners LP (AMEX:CQP) from Equal-Weight to Underweight. In the first quarter, Cheniere Energy Partners showed an EPS of $0.96, compared to $0.64 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Cheniere Energy Partners shows a 52-week-high of $61.91 and a 52-week-low of $38.00. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $55.22.
Jefferies downgraded the previous rating for PubMatic Inc (NASDAQ:PUBM) from Buy to Hold. PubMatic earned $0.14 in the first quarter, compared to $0.09 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of PubMatic shows a 52-week-high of $44.19 and a 52-week-low of $17.82. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $20.88.
For NetScout Systems Inc (NASDAQ:NTCT), Piper Sandler downgraded the previous rating of Neutral to Underweight. NetScout Systems earned $0.29 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.49 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of NetScout Systems shows a 52-week-high of $37.68 and a 52-week-low of $26.01. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $37.65.
See all analyst ratings downgrades.
Initiations
For Verizon Communications Inc (NYSE:VZ), LightShed Partners initiated coverage, by setting the current rating at Neutral. For the first quarter, Verizon Communications had an EPS of $1.35, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.31. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $57.61 and a 52-week-low of $45.55. Verizon Communications closed at $51.40 at the end of the last trading period.
With a Equal-Weight rating, Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on Bausch & Lomb Corp (NYSE:BLCO). The price target seems to have been set at $22.00 for Bausch & Lomb. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $20.20 and a 52-week-low of $15.90. Bausch & Lomb closed at $17.69 at the end of the last trading period.
With an Outperform rating, Evercore ISI Group initiated coverage on Hyperfine Inc (NASDAQ:HYPR). The price target seems to have been set at $7.00 for Hyperfine. Hyperfine earned $0.34 in the first quarter, compared to $4.86 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $16.61 and a 52-week-low of $2.00. At the end of the last trading period, Hyperfine closed at $2.73.
With a Buy rating, B of A Securities initiated coverage on PepGen Inc (NASDAQ:PEPG). The price target seems to have been set at $16.00 for PepGen. The stock has a 52-week-high of $16.99 and a 52-week-low of $7.82. At the end of the last trading period, PepGen closed at $10.88.
With a Buy rating, Stifel initiated coverage on PepGen Inc (NASDAQ:PEPG). The price target seems to have been set at $24.00 for PepGen. The stock has a 52-week-high of $16.99 and a 52-week-low of $7.82. At the end of the last trading period, PepGen closed at $10.88.
Wedbush initiated coverage on PepGen Inc (NASDAQ:PEPG) with an Outperform rating. The price target for PepGen is set to $17.00. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $16.99 and a 52-week-low of $7.82. PepGen closed at $10.88 at the end of the last trading period.
Goldman Sachs initiated coverage on Bausch & Lomb Corp (NYSE:BLCO) with a Neutral rating. The price target for Bausch & Lomb is set to $22.00. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $20.20 and a 52-week-low of $15.90. Bausch & Lomb closed at $17.69 at the end of the last trading period.
With a Buy rating, Guggenheim initiated coverage on Bausch & Lomb Corp (NYSE:BLCO). The price target seems to have been set at $24.00 for Bausch & Lomb. The stock has a 52-week-high of $20.20 and a 52-week-low of $15.90. At the end of the last trading period, Bausch & Lomb closed at $17.69.
Wells Fargo initiated coverage on Bausch & Lomb Corp (NYSE:BLCO) with an Overweight rating. The price target for Bausch & Lomb is set to $23.00. The current stock performance of Bausch & Lomb shows a 52-week-high of $20.20 and a 52-week-low of $15.90. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $17.69.
With an Outperform rating, SVB Leerink initiated coverage on PepGen Inc (NASDAQ:PEPG). The price target seems to have been set at $40.00 for PepGen. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $16.99 and a 52-week-low of $7.82. PepGen closed at $10.88 at the end of the last trading period.
With an Underperform rating, Credit Suisse initiated coverage on Sherwin-Williams Co (NYSE:SHW). The price target seems to have been set at $245.00 for Sherwin-Williams. In the first quarter, Sherwin-Williams showed an EPS of $1.61, compared to $2.06 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $354.15 and a 52-week-low of $233.32. Sherwin-Williams closed at $276.35 at the end of the last trading period.
Credit Suisse initiated coverage on PPG Industries Inc (NYSE:PPG) with an Underperform rating. The price target for PPG Indus is set to $115.00. PPG Indus earned $1.37 in the first quarter, compared to $1.88 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $182.97 and a 52-week-low of $111.32. PPG Indus closed at $130.03 at the end of the last trading period.
Credit Suisse initiated coverage on FMC Corp (NYSE:FMC) with an Underperform rating. The price target for FMC is set to $109.00. FMC earned $1.88 in the first quarter, compared to $1.53 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $140.99 and a 52-week-low of $87.27. At the end of the last trading period, FMC closed at $126.01.
Credit Suisse initiated coverage on Eastman Chemical Co (NYSE:EMN) with an Outperform rating. The price target for Eastman Chemical is set to $130.00. For the first quarter, Eastman Chemical had an EPS of $2.06, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $2.13. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $130.47 and a 52-week-low of $98.24. Eastman Chemical closed at $109.63 at the end of the last trading period.
With an Outperform rating, Credit Suisse initiated coverage on Linde PLC (NYSE:LIN). The price target seems to have been set at $380.00 for Linde. For the first quarter, Linde had an EPS of $2.93, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $2.49. The current stock performance of Linde shows a 52-week-high of $352.18 and a 52-week-low of $267.51. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $329.63.