Benzinga's Top Ratings Upgrades, Downgrades For December 19, 2022

Upgrades

For NRG Energy Inc (NYSE:NRG), B of A Securities upgraded the previous rating of Underperform to Neutral. For the third quarter, NRG Energy had an EPS of $0.29, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $6.60. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $47.82 and a 52-week-low of $30.64. NRG Energy closed at $31.05 at the end of the last trading period.

According to Northland Capital Markets, the prior rating for Enphase Energy Inc (NASDAQ:ENPH) was changed from Market Perform to Outperform. In the third quarter, Enphase Energy showed an EPS of $1.25, compared to $0.60 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $339.92 and a 52-week-low of $113.40. Enphase Energy closed at $303.39 at the end of the last trading period.

According to Raymond James, the prior rating for American Equity Investment Life Holding Co (NYSE:AEL) was changed from Outperform to Strong Buy. For the third quarter, American Equity Inv had an EPS of $1.29, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.85. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $44.49 and a 52-week-low of $28.05. American Equity Inv closed at $39.13 at the end of the last trading period.

Stifel upgraded the previous rating for Pentair PLC (NYSE:PNR) from Hold to Buy. For the third quarter, Pentair had an EPS of $0.99, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.89. The current stock performance of Pentair shows a 52-week-high of $74.76 and a 52-week-low of $38.55. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $43.44.

Atlantic Equities upgraded the previous rating for Warner Music Group Corp (NASDAQ:WMG) from Neutral to Overweight. Warner Music Gr earned $0.32 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.12 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $44.64 and a 52-week-low of $21.57. At the end of the last trading period, Warner Music Gr closed at $33.64.

According to Jefferies, the prior rating for Moderna Inc (NASDAQ:MRNA) was changed from Hold to Buy. Moderna earned $2.53 in the third quarter, compared to $7.70 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $321.31 and a 52-week-low of $115.03. Moderna closed at $193.29 at the end of the last trading period.

JP Morgan upgraded the previous rating for Glaukos Corp (NYSE:GKOS) from Underweight to Neutral. In the third quarter, Glaukos showed an EPS of $0.45, compared to $0.21 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $64.49 and a 52-week-low of $33.33. At the end of the last trading period, Glaukos closed at $42.48.

Keybanc upgraded the previous rating for PerkinElmer Inc (NYSE:PKI) from Sector Weight to Overweight. PerkinElmer earned $1.51 in the third quarter, compared to $2.31 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $203.16 and a 52-week-low of $113.46. PerkinElmer closed at $137.66 at the end of the last trading period.

See all analyst ratings upgrades.

Downgrades

According to TD Securities, the prior rating for Maxar Technologies Inc (NYSE:MAXR) was changed from Buy to Tender. For the third quarter, Maxar Technologies had an EPS of $0.05, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.19. The stock has a 52-week-high of $51.93 and a 52-week-low of $17.51. At the end of the last trading period, Maxar Technologies closed at $51.93.

According to B of A Securities, the prior rating for American Electric Power Co Inc (NASDAQ:AEP) was changed from Buy to Neutral. For the third quarter, American Electric Power had an EPS of $1.62, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.43. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $105.60 and a 52-week-low of $80.30. American Electric Power closed at $94.57 at the end of the last trading period.

For Raymond James Financial Inc (NYSE:RJF), Keefe, Bruyette & Woods downgraded the previous rating of Outperform to Market Perform. In the fourth quarter, Raymond James Finl showed an EPS of $2.08, compared to $2.06 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $126.00 and a 52-week-low of $84.86. Raymond James Finl closed at $106.75 at the end of the last trading period.

For Synaptogenix Inc (NASDAQ:SNPX), Maxim Group downgraded the previous rating of Buy to Hold. Synaptogenix earned $0.43 in the third quarter, compared to $0.47 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $10.65 and a 52-week-low of $1.08. At the end of the last trading period, Synaptogenix closed at $1.20.

According to TD Securities, the prior rating for Louisiana-Pacific Corp (NYSE:LPX) was changed from Buy to Hold. In the third quarter, Louisiana-Pacific showed an EPS of $1.72, compared to $3.87 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Louisiana-Pacific shows a 52-week-high of $79.77 and a 52-week-low of $48.20. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $61.85.

According to RBC Capital, the prior rating for Maxar Technologies Inc (NYSE:MAXR) was changed from Outperform to Sector Perform. Maxar Technologies earned $0.05 in the third quarter, compared to $0.19 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $51.93 and a 52-week-low of $17.51. Maxar Technologies closed at $51.93 at the end of the last trading period.

For AT&T Inc (NYSE:T), MoffettNathanson downgraded the previous rating of Market Perform to Underperform. For the third quarter, AT&T had an EPS of $0.68, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.87. The stock has a 52-week-high of $27.48 and a 52-week-low of $14.46. At the end of the last trading period, AT&T closed at $18.49.

According to Oppenheimer, the prior rating for Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) was changed from Outperform to Perform. Tesla earned $1.05 in the third quarter, compared to $0.62 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $402.67 and a 52-week-low of $150.04. Tesla closed at $150.23 at the end of the last trading period.

According to HC Wainwright & Co., the prior rating for Bionomics Ltd (NASDAQ:BNOX) was changed from Buy to Neutral.

Stifel downgraded the previous rating for Xylem Inc (NYSE:XYL) from Buy to Hold. For the third quarter, Xylem had an EPS of $0.79, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.63. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $121.47 and a 52-week-low of $72.08. Xylem closed at $109.91 at the end of the last trading period.

According to Stifel, the prior rating for Waste Management Inc (NYSE:WM) was changed from Buy to Hold. For the third quarter, Waste Management had an EPS of $1.56, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.26. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $175.98 and a 52-week-low of $138.58. Waste Management closed at $161.79 at the end of the last trading period.

For Vtex (NYSE:VTEX), Morgan Stanley downgraded the previous rating of Overweight to Equal-Weight. Vtex earned $0.06 in the third quarter, compared to $0.12 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $12.88 and a 52-week-low of $2.66. At the end of the last trading period, Vtex closed at $3.52.

According to Baird, the prior rating for Maxar Technologies Inc (NYSE:MAXR) was changed from Outperform to Neutral. For the third quarter, Maxar Technologies had an EPS of $0.05, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.19. The current stock performance of Maxar Technologies shows a 52-week-high of $51.93 and a 52-week-low of $17.51. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $51.93.

For L3Harris Technologies Inc (NYSE:LHX), Baird downgraded the previous rating of Outperform to Neutral. In the third quarter, L3Harris Technologies showed an EPS of $3.26, compared to $3.21 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $279.71 and a 52-week-low of $200.71. L3Harris Technologies closed at $213.27 at the end of the last trading period.

According to Jefferies, the prior rating for Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings Inc (NYSE:AJRD) was changed from Buy to Hold. Aerojet Rocketdyne Hldgs earned $0.45 in the third quarter, compared to $0.58 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Aerojet Rocketdyne Hldgs shows a 52-week-high of $56.00 and a 52-week-low of $35.47. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $54.89.

According to Jefferies, the prior rating for Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:VRTX) was changed from Buy to Hold. In the third quarter, Vertex Pharmaceuticals showed an EPS of $4.01, compared to $3.56 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $324.75 and a 52-week-low of $210.35. Vertex Pharmaceuticals closed at $304.80 at the end of the last trading period.

JP Morgan downgraded the previous rating for Baxter International Inc (NYSE:BAX) from Overweight to Neutral. In the third quarter, Baxter Intl showed an EPS of $0.82, compared to $1.02 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $89.70 and a 52-week-low of $49.47. Baxter Intl closed at $49.71 at the end of the last trading period.

According to Deutsche Bank, the prior rating for Invesco Ltd (NYSE:IVZ) was changed from Buy to Hold. In the third quarter, Invesco showed an EPS of $0.34, compared to $0.77 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $25.33 and a 52-week-low of $13.20. Invesco closed at $18.39 at the end of the last trading period.

Keefe, Bruyette & Woods downgraded the previous rating for Axis Capital Holdings Ltd (NYSE:AXS) from Outperform to Market Perform. Axis Capital Holdings earned $0.03 in the third quarter, compared to $0.01 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $61.39 and a 52-week-low of $48.32. At the end of the last trading period, Axis Capital Holdings closed at $54.67.

According to Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, the prior rating for Ameriprise Financial Inc (NYSE:AMP) was changed from Outperform to Market Perform. In the third quarter, Ameriprise Financial showed an EPS of $6.43, compared to $5.91 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $339.41 and a 52-week-low of $219.99. At the end of the last trading period, Ameriprise Financial closed at $312.18.

According to Keybanc, the prior rating for Catalent Inc (NYSE:CTLT) was changed from Overweight to Sector Weight. In the first quarter, Catalent showed an EPS of $0.34, compared to $0.71 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $130.97 and a 52-week-low of $40.69. Catalent closed at $44.26 at the end of the last trading period.

See all analyst ratings downgrades.

Initiations

For Ellington Residential Mortgage REIT (NYSE:EARN), JonesTrading initiated coverage, by setting the current rating at Hold. Ellington Residential earned $0.23 in the third quarter, compared to $0.31 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $11.07 and a 52-week-low of $5.70. Ellington Residential closed at $7.03 at the end of the last trading period.

With a Buy rating, Lake Street initiated coverage on Apollo Medical Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:AMEH). The price target seems to have been set at $40.00 for Apollo Medical Hlgs. In the third quarter, Apollo Medical Hlgs showed an EPS of $0.56, compared to $0.74 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $75.23 and a 52-week-low of $26.89. Apollo Medical Hlgs closed at $31.14 at the end of the last trading period.

BTIG initiated coverage on Glass House Brands Inc (OTC:GLASF) with a Buy rating. The price target for Glass House Brands is set to $6.00. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $6.54 and a 52-week-low of $1.95. Glass House Brands closed at $2.32 at the end of the last trading period.

William Blair initiated coverage on NewAmsterdam Pharma Co NV (NASDAQ:NAMS) with an Outperform rating. The stock has a 52-week-high of $32.88 and a 52-week-low of $7.52. At the end of the last trading period, NewAmsterdam Pharma closed at $10.71.

With a Buy rating, EF Hutton initiated coverage on Acasti Pharma Inc (NASDAQ:ACST). The price target seems to have been set at $2.50 for Acasti Pharma. Acasti Pharma earned $0.11 in the second quarter, compared to $0.03 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Acasti Pharma shows a 52-week-high of $1.79 and a 52-week-low of $0.34. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $0.38.

EF Hutton initiated coverage on Pineapple Energy Inc (NASDAQ:PEGY) with a Buy rating. The price target for Pineapple Energy is set to $5.50. For the third quarter, Pineapple Energy had an EPS of $0.34, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.18. The current stock performance of Pineapple Energy shows a 52-week-high of $7.60 and a 52-week-low of $0.76. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $1.66.

With a Buy rating, EF Hutton initiated coverage on Sonnet BioTherapeutics Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:SONN). The price target seems to have been set at $6.70 for Sonnet BioTherapeutics. For the fourth quarter, Sonnet BioTherapeutics had an EPS of $1.66, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.26. The stock has a 52-week-high of $9.37 and a 52-week-low of $0.96. At the end of the last trading period, Sonnet BioTherapeutics closed at $0.96.

With a Buy rating, EF Hutton initiated coverage on VolitionRX Ltd (AMEX:VNRX). The price target seems to have been set at $6.00 for VolitionRX. For the third quarter, VolitionRX had an EPS of $0.14, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.13. The current stock performance of VolitionRX shows a 52-week-high of $3.57 and a 52-week-low of $1.31. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $2.13.

Needham initiated coverage on Viridian Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:VRDN) with a Buy rating. The price target for Viridian Therapeutics is set to $45.00. In the third quarter, Viridian Therapeutics showed an EPS of $0.86, compared to $1.25 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $28.86 and a 52-week-low of $9.47. At the end of the last trading period, Viridian Therapeutics closed at $27.88.

With a Buy rating, Jefferies initiated coverage on NewAmsterdam Pharma Co NV (NASDAQ:NAMS). The price target seems to have been set at $24.00 for NewAmsterdam Pharma. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $32.88 and a 52-week-low of $7.52. NewAmsterdam Pharma closed at $10.71 at the end of the last trading period.

UBS initiated coverage on Main Street Capital Corp (NYSE:MAIN) with a Neutral rating. The price target for Main Street Capital is set to $40.00. Main Street Capital earned $0.83 in the third quarter, compared to $0.71 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $45.67 and a 52-week-low of $31.66. Main Street Capital closed at $37.00 at the end of the last trading period.

With a Equal-Weight rating, Barclays initiated coverage on F&G Annuities & Life Inc (NYSE:FG). The price target seems to have been set at $22.00 for F&G Annuities & Life. F&G Annuities & Life earned $0.30 in the first quarter, compared to $0.37 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $22.00 and a 52-week-low of $17.34. At the end of the last trading period, F&G Annuities & Life closed at $19.56.

HC Wainwright & Co. initiated coverage on Acurx Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:ACXP) with a Buy rating. The price target for Acurx Pharmaceuticals is set to $14.00. For the third quarter, Acurx Pharmaceuticals had an EPS of $0.32, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.46. The stock has a 52-week-high of $4.89 and a 52-week-low of $2.33. At the end of the last trading period, Acurx Pharmaceuticals closed at $3.83.

Cowen & Co. initiated coverage on DZS Inc (NASDAQ:DZSI) with an Outperform rating. The price target for DZS is set to $25.00. For the third quarter, DZS had an EPS of $0.05, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.16. The stock has a 52-week-high of $19.95 and a 52-week-low of $10.59. At the end of the last trading period, DZS closed at $11.01.

Roth Capital initiated coverage on Tempo Automation Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:TMPO) with a Buy rating. The price target for Tempo Automation Holdings is set to $5.00. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $15.15 and a 52-week-low of $1.05. Tempo Automation Holdings closed at $1.06 at the end of the last trading period.

Loop Capital initiated coverage on MasterBrand Inc (NYSE:MBC) with a Hold rating. The price target for MasterBrand is set to $9.00. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $9.33 and a 52-week-low of $7.46. MasterBrand closed at $9.30 at the end of the last trading period.

With a Buy rating, JonesTrading initiated coverage on Annaly Capital Management Inc (NYSE:NLY). The price target seems to have been set at $22.50 for Annaly Capital Management. Annaly Capital Management earned $1.06 in the third quarter, compared to $1.12 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $33.32 and a 52-week-low of $15.11. At the end of the last trading period, Annaly Capital Management closed at $21.39.

Goldman Sachs initiated coverage on Ventyx Biosciences Inc (NASDAQ:VTYX) with a Buy rating. The price target for Ventyx Biosciences is set to $50.00. In the third quarter, Ventyx Biosciences showed an EPS of $0.59, compared to $3.17 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $41.29 and a 52-week-low of $9.50. Ventyx Biosciences closed at $32.64 at the end of the last trading period.

With a Market Perform rating, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods initiated coverage on California Bancorp (NASDAQ:CALB). The price target seems to have been set at $29.00 for California Bancorp. In the third quarter, California Bancorp showed an EPS of $0.66, compared to $0.39 from the year-ago quarter.

See all analyst ratings initiations.