UPDATE: Stifel Upgrades Starz as Subscriber Metrics are Holding Up Better Than Expected

In a report published Monday, Stifel analyst Benjamin Mogil upgraded the rating on Starz STRZA from Sell to Hold. In the report, Stifel noted, “We are upgrading Starz from a Sell to a Hold rating. The move comes, following 4Q13's results which continue to show the service, despite no must watch original program and continued in-roads from SVOD and even EPIX, as having greater resilience than we imagined. While we continue to believe that longer-term the channel will have challenges, the interim FCF supports valuation as fair value.” Starz closed on Friday at $31.15.