Benzinga | Dec 17, 2020 10:17AM EST

Benzinga's Top Upgrades, Downgrades For December 17, 2020



Upgrades

* For CAE Inc (NYSE:CAE), Bank of America upgraded the previous rating of Neutral to Buy. CAE earned $0.10 in the second quarter, compared to $0.28 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of CAE shows a 52-week-high of $31.56 and a 52-week-low of $9.80. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $25.10.

* According to DZ Bank, the prior rating for Raytheon Technologies Corp (NYSE:RTX) was changed from Hold to Buy. In the third quarter, Raytheon Technologies earned $0.58. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $75.32 and a 52-week-low of $48.05. Raytheon Technologies closed at $70.54 at the end of the last trading period.

* For Comtech Telecommunications Corp (NASDAQ:CMTL), Jefferies upgraded the previous rating of Hold to Buy. In the first quarter, Comtech showed an EPS of $0.15, compared to $0.32 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Comtech shows a 52-week-high of $37.34 and a 52-week-low of $11.48. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $18.86.

* For Illumina Inc (NASDAQ:ILMN), BTIG upgraded the previous rating of Neutral to Buy. For the third quarter, Illumina had an EPS of $1.02, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.93. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $404.20 and a 52-week-low of $196.78. Illumina closed at $353.32 at the end of the last trading period.

* According to BMO Capital, the prior rating for Matador Resources Co (NYSE:MTDR) was changed from Market Perform to Outperform. In the third quarter, Matador Resources showed an EPS of $0.10, compared to $0.32 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Matador Resources shows a 52-week-high of $19.82 and a 52-week-low of $1.11. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $12.08.

* According to BMO Capital, the prior rating for Constellium SE (NYSE:CSTM) was changed from Market Perform to Outperform. In the third quarter, Constellium showed an EPS of $0.15, compared to $0.00 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Constellium shows a 52-week-high of $15.10 and a 52-week-low of $3.90. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $13.39.

* Morgan Stanley upgraded the previous rating for NICE Ltd (NASDAQ:NICE) from Equal-Weight to Overweight. NICE earned $1.41 in the third quarter, compared to $1.30 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $259.63 and a 52-week-low of $110.59. NICE closed at $256.08 at the end of the last trading period.

* According to Morgan Stanley, the prior rating for Sabre Corp (NASDAQ:SABR) was changed from Equal-Weight to Overweight. Sabre earned $0.82 in the third quarter, compared to $0.27 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $23.25 and a 52-week-low of $3.30. Sabre closed at $11.32 at the end of the last trading period.

* According to Morgan Stanley, the prior rating for Warner Music Group Corp (NASDAQ:WMG) was changed from Equal-Weight to Overweight. Warner Music Group earned $0.03 in the fourth quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $34.76 and a 52-week-low of $25.61. Warner Music Group closed at $33.05 at the end of the last trading period.

* For Domo Inc (NASDAQ:DOMO), Morgan Stanley upgraded the previous rating of Equal-Weight to Overweight. Domo earned $0.40 in the third quarter, compared to $0.85 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $60.91 and a 52-week-low of $7.62. Domo closed at $60.46 at the end of the last trading period.

* For Five9 Inc (NASDAQ:FIVN), Morgan Stanley upgraded the previous rating of Equal-Weight to Overweight. In the third quarter, Five9 showed an EPS of $0.27, compared to $0.20 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $170.82 and a 52-week-low of $52.51. At the end of the last trading period, Five9 closed at $168.91.

* For MongoDB Inc (NASDAQ:MDB), Morgan Stanley upgraded the previous rating of Equal-Weight to Overweight. For the third quarter, MongoDB had an EPS of $0.31, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.26. The current stock performance of MongoDB shows a 52-week-high of $351.41 and a 52-week-low of $93.81. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $336.99.

* For RingCentral Inc (NYSE:RNG), Morgan Stanley upgraded the previous rating of Equal-Weight to Overweight. In the third quarter, RingCentral showed an EPS of $0.26, compared to $0.22 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $369.56 and a 52-week-low of $134.85. RingCentral closed at $368.43 at the end of the last trading period.

* For Workiva Inc (NYSE:WK), Morgan Stanley upgraded the previous rating of Underweight to Equal-Weight. Workiva earned $0.04 in the third quarter, compared to $0.12 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Workiva shows a 52-week-high of $82.09 and a 52-week-low of $22.01. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $81.82.

* For Williams Companies Inc (NYSE:WMB), Credit Suisse upgraded the previous rating of Neutral to Outperform. For the third quarter, Williams Companies had an EPS of $0.27, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.26. The stock has a 52-week-high of $24.17 and a 52-week-low of $8.41. At the end of the last trading period, Williams Companies closed at $21.75.

* Wells Fargo upgraded the previous rating for Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc (NASDAQ:SBGI) from Underweight to Equal-Weight. For the third quarter, Sinclair Broadcast Group had an EPS of $2.13, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.64. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $34.31 and a 52-week-low of $10.57. Sinclair Broadcast Group closed at $28.30 at the end of the last trading period.

* According to Wells Fargo, the prior rating for Yum Brands Inc (NYSE:YUM) was changed from Equal-Weight to Overweight. In the third quarter, Yum Brands showed an EPS of $1.01, compared to $0.80 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $108.64 and a 52-week-low of $54.95. Yum Brands closed at $107.49 at the end of the last trading period.

* Wells Fargo upgraded the previous rating for Restaurant Brands International Inc (NYSE:QSR) from Equal-Weight to Overweight. In the third quarter, Restaurant Brands Intl showed an EPS of $0.68, compared to $0.72 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $67.33 and a 52-week-low of $25.08. Restaurant Brands Intl closed at $61.99 at the end of the last trading period.

* According to Wells Fargo, the prior rating for Darden Restaurants Inc (NYSE:DRI) was changed from Equal-Weight to Overweight. Darden Restaurants earned $0.56 in the first quarter, compared to $1.38 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $125.96 and a 52-week-low of $26.15. Darden Restaurants closed at $116.50 at the end of the last trading period.

* According to Wells Fargo, the prior rating for BJ's Restaurants Inc (NASDAQ:BJRI) was changed from Equal-Weight to Overweight. In the third quarter, BJ's Restaurants showed an EPS of $0.44, compared to $0.21 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of BJ's Restaurants shows a 52-week-high of $44.47 and a 52-week-low of $6.01. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $34.41.

* For Comerica Inc (NYSE:CMA), Stephens & Co. upgraded the previous rating of Equal-Weight to Overweight. Comerica earned $1.44 in the third quarter, compared to $1.92 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $73.43 and a 52-week-low of $24.28. At the end of the last trading period, Comerica closed at $52.97.

* For Dominion Energy Inc (NYSE:D), Credit Suisse upgraded the previous rating of Neutral to Outperform. For the third quarter, Dominion Energy had an EPS of $1.08, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.18. The stock has a 52-week-high of $90.89 and a 52-week-low of $57.79. At the end of the last trading period, Dominion Energy closed at $75.14.

* According to KeyBanc, the prior rating for Olin Corp (NYSE:OLN) was changed from Sector Weight to Overweight. Olin earned $0.23 in the third quarter, compared to $0.27 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $24.25 and a 52-week-low of $8.76. At the end of the last trading period, Olin closed at $23.98.



Downgrades

* According to Citigroup, the prior rating for United Rentals Inc (NYSE:URI) was changed from Buy to Neutral. United Rentals earned $5.40 in the third quarter, compared to $5.96 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $249.60 and a 52-week-low of $58.85. United Rentals closed at $232.39 at the end of the last trading period.

* According to Deutsche bank, the prior rating for Lam Research Corp (NASDAQ:LRCX) was changed from Buy to Hold. For the first quarter, Lam Research had an EPS of $5.67, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $3.18. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $516.65 and a 52-week-low of $181.38. Lam Research closed at $493.31 at the end of the last trading period.

* BTIG downgraded the previous rating for MercadoLibre Inc (NASDAQ:MELI) from Buy to Neutral. For the third quarter, MercadoLibre had an EPS of $0.28, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.95. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $1676.91 and a 52-week-low of $422.22. MercadoLibre closed at $1669.54 at the end of the last trading period.

* According to Canaccord Genuity, the prior rating for Aphria Inc (NASDAQ:APHA) was changed from Speculative Buy to Hold. Aphria earned $0.01 in the first quarter, compared to $0.05 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Aphria shows a 52-week-high of $8.88 and a 52-week-low of $1.95. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $8.05.

* According to Redburn, the prior rating for Boeing Co (NYSE:BA) was changed from Neutral to Sell. Boeing earned $1.39 in the third quarter, compared to $1.45 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $349.95 and a 52-week-low of $89.00. At the end of the last trading period, Boeing closed at $225.86.

* According to Barclays, the prior rating for Varonis Systems Inc (NASDAQ:VRNS) was changed from Overweight to Equal-Weight. Varonis Systems earned $0.06 in the third quarter, compared to $0.16 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Varonis Systems shows a 52-week-high of $151.50 and a 52-week-low of $48.95. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $145.52.

* Barclays downgraded the previous rating for Pluralsight Inc (NASDAQ:PS) from Overweight to Equal-Weight. In the third quarter, Pluralsight showed an EPS of $0.00, compared to $0.08 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $22.69 and a 52-week-low of $6.59. Pluralsight closed at $20.40 at the end of the last trading period.

* For Altice USA Inc (NYSE:ATUS), Barclays downgraded the previous rating of Overweight to Equal-Weight. In the third quarter, Altice USA showed an EPS of $0.32, compared to $0.12 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $35.83 and a 52-week-low of $15.96. At the end of the last trading period, Altice USA closed at $35.31.

* According to Morgan Stanley, the prior rating for AT&T Inc (NYSE:T) was changed from Overweight to Equal-Weight. For the third quarter, AT&T had an EPS of $0.76, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.94. The stock has a 52-week-high of $39.55 and a 52-week-low of $26.08. At the end of the last trading period, AT&T closed at $30.29.

* For Kinder Morgan Inc (NYSE:KMI), Credit Suisse downgraded the previous rating of Outperform to Neutral. Kinder Morgan earned $0.21 in the third quarter, compared to $0.22 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $22.58 and a 52-week-low of $9.42. Kinder Morgan closed at $14.60 at the end of the last trading period.

* Wells Fargo downgraded the previous rating for Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc (NASDAQ:RRGB) from Equal-Weight to Underweight. Red Robin Gourmet Burgers earned $0.19 in the third quarter, compared to $0.24 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $37.29 and a 52-week-low of $4.04. At the end of the last trading period, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers closed at $19.61.

* For Dave & Buster's Entertainment Inc (NASDAQ:PLAY), Wells Fargo downgraded the previous rating of Equal-Weight to Underweight. For the third quarter, Dave & Buster's Enter had an EPS of $0.99, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.02. The current stock performance of Dave & Buster's Enter shows a 52-week-high of $48.80 and a 52-week-low of $4.61. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $26.15.

* Wells Fargo downgraded the previous rating for Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc (NASDAQ:CBRL) from Equal-Weight to Underweight. For the first quarter, Cracker Barrel Old had an EPS of $0.69, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.90. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $170.10 and a 52-week-low of $53.61. Cracker Barrel Old closed at $136.49 at the end of the last trading period.

* For Huntington Bancshares Inc (NASDAQ:HBAN), Stephens & Co. downgraded the previous rating of Overweight to Equal-Weight. In the third quarter, Huntington Bancshares showed an EPS of $0.27, compared to $0.34 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $15.60 and a 52-week-low of $6.82. At the end of the last trading period, Huntington Bancshares closed at $12.52.

* According to Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, the prior rating for Lincoln National Corp (NYSE:LNC) was changed from Outperform to Market Perform. In the third quarter, Lincoln National showed an EPS of $0.72, compared to $2.22 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $61.96 and a 52-week-low of $16.11. Lincoln National closed at $50.22 at the end of the last trading period.

* According to Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, the prior rating for Reinsurance Group of America Inc (NYSE:RGA) was changed from Outperform to Market Perform. In the third quarter, Reinsurance Group showed an EPS of $3.51, compared to $4.02 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $167.74 and a 52-week-low of $55.39. At the end of the last trading period, Reinsurance Group closed at $121.17.

* For TCF Financial Corp (NASDAQ:TCF), Keefe, Bruyette & Woods downgraded the previous rating of Outperform to Market Perform. TCF Finl earned $0.63 in the third quarter, compared to $0.98 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $47.46 and a 52-week-low of $16.96. TCF Finl closed at $36.94 at the end of the last trading period.



Initiations

* With a Buy rating, Berenberg initiated coverage on Ascendis Pharma A/S (NASDAQ:ASND). The price target seems to have been set at $216.00 for Ascendis Pharma. Ascendis Pharma earned $2.70 in the third quarter, compared to $0.58 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Ascendis Pharma shows a 52-week-high of $183.98 and a 52-week-low of $92.00. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $174.00.

* Berenberg initiated coverage on Ocular Therapeutix Inc (NASDAQ:OCUL) with a Buy rating. The price target for Ocular Therapeutix is set to $27.00. Ocular Therapeutix earned $0.21 in the third quarter, compared to $0.45 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Ocular Therapeutix shows a 52-week-high of $24.30 and a 52-week-low of $3.69. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $21.49.

* Berenberg initiated coverage on Insmed Inc (NASDAQ:INSM) with a Buy rating. The price target for Insmed is set to $48.00. For the third quarter, Insmed had an EPS of $0.63, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.68. The current stock performance of Insmed shows a 52-week-high of $42.71 and a 52-week-low of $12.09. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $36.47.

* Berenberg initiated coverage on Kodiak Sciences Inc (NASDAQ:KOD) with a Buy rating. The price target for Kodiak Sciences is set to $156.00. In the third quarter, Kodiak Sciences showed an EPS of $0.80, compared to $0.33 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Kodiak Sciences shows a 52-week-high of $141.98 and a 52-week-low of $35.49. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $134.96.

* Cleveland Research initiated coverage on Pinterest Inc (NYSE:PINS) with a Buy rating. For the third quarter, Pinterest had an EPS of $0.13, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.01. The current stock performance of Pinterest shows a 52-week-high of $72.88 and a 52-week-low of $10.10. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $70.28.

* With an In-Line rating, Evercore ISI Group initiated coverage on Aon PLC (NYSE:AON). The price target seems to have been set at $231.00 for Aon. For the third quarter, Aon had an EPS of $1.53, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.45. The stock has a 52-week-high of $238.19 and a 52-week-low of $143.93. At the end of the last trading period, Aon closed at $209.20.

* Evercore ISI Group initiated coverage on Arthur J. Gallagher & Co (NYSE:AJG) with an Outperform rating. The price target for Arthur J. Gallagher is set to $145.00. In the third quarter, Arthur J. Gallagher showed an EPS of $1.08, compared to $0.80 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Arthur J. Gallagher shows a 52-week-high of $126.70 and a 52-week-low of $65.09. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $126.45.

* With a Buy rating, Jefferies initiated coverage on American Woodmark Corp (NASDAQ:AMWD). The price target seems to have been set at $111.00 for American Woodmark. In the second quarter, American Woodmark showed an EPS of $1.97, compared to $1.84 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $117.70 and a 52-week-low of $35.30. American Woodmark closed at $89.96 at the end of the last trading period.

* With a Buy rating, Roth Capital initiated coverage on Usana Health Sciences Inc (NYSE:USNA). The price target seems to have been set at $107.00 for Usana Health Sciences. For the third quarter, Usana Health Sciences had an EPS of $1.44, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.09. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $92.26 and a 52-week-low of $43.01. Usana Health Sciences closed at $78.26 at the end of the last trading period.

* Rosenblatt initiated coverage on Datadog Inc (NASDAQ:DDOG) with a Neutral rating. The price target for Datadog is set to $97.00. In the third quarter, Datadog showed an EPS of $0.05, compared to $0.00 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $118.13 and a 52-week-low of $28.88. At the end of the last trading period, Datadog closed at $104.55.

* Rosenblatt initiated coverage on Dynatrace Inc (NYSE:DT) with a Buy rating. The price target for Dynatrace is set to $48.00. In the second quarter, Dynatrace showed an EPS of $0.18, compared to $0.06 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Dynatrace shows a 52-week-high of $48.85 and a 52-week-low of $17.10. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $42.71.

* With a Buy rating, Rosenblatt initiated coverage on Splunk Inc (NASDAQ:SPLK). The price target seems to have been set at $196.00 for Splunk. In the third quarter, Splunk showed an EPS of $0.07, compared to $0.58 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $225.89 and a 52-week-low of $93.92. Splunk closed at $162.34 at the end of the last trading period.

* With a Buy rating, H.C. Wainwright initiated coverage on Arbutus Biopharma Corp (NASDAQ:ABUS). The price target seems to have been set at $10.00 for Arbutus Biopharma. For the third quarter, Arbutus Biopharma had an EPS of $0.27, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.73. The current stock performance of Arbutus Biopharma shows a 52-week-high of $9.02 and a 52-week-low of $0.88. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $4.41.

* Seaport Global initiated coverage on Signature Bank (NASDAQ:SBNY) with a Buy rating. The price target for Signature Bank is set to $160.00. Signature Bank earned $2.62 in the third quarter, compared to $2.75 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $148.64 and a 52-week-low of $68.98. Signature Bank closed at $132.13 at the end of the last trading period.

* With a Buy rating, Chardan Capital initiated coverage on CohBar Inc (NASDAQ:CWBR). The price target seems to have been set at $3.00 for CohBar. CohBar earned $0.05 in the third quarter, compared to $0.08 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $4.25 and a 52-week-low of $0.85. At the end of the last trading period, CohBar closed at $1.29.