UPDATE: J.P. Morgan Upgrades Compass Minerals International to Neutral, Raises PT on Valuation

In a report published Wednesday, J.P. Morgan analyst Jeffrey J. Zekauskas upgraded the rating on

from Underweight to Neutral, and raised the price target from $65.00 to $66.00. In the report, J.P. Morgan noted, “We lift our rating for Compass Minerals from Underweight to Neutral. CMP shares have increased 6% since the beginning of 2012 versus a 34% increase in the S&P 500 Index over the same period. Our Neutral rating for CMP reflects what we now view to be a reasonable valuation for Compass, a major producer of consumer and highway deicing salt and specialty fertilizer. We find Compass shares to be fully valued at current levels. CMP shares trade at an EV/EBITDA multiple of 10.3x based on 2014 estimates versus its specialty chemicals peer group at 9.3x, and versus fertilizer peers, Potash Corp and Mosaic, at 7.8x and 7.2x, respectively. We rate Compass Minerals Neutral for year-ahead performance.” Compass Minerals International closed on Tuesday at $73.06.