4 Stocks Stifel Just Upgraded

Analysts at Stifel on Monday upgraded shares of

,

,

and

.

Scott Devitt upgraded shares of Twitter to Hold from Sell while removing a previous $36 price target following the recent share price sell-off. According to Devitt, the market seems to want to believe a management change at Twitter is imminent. If management were to change, shares are likely to rise because the new management team would get an "extended leash" to prove itself. Devitt also noted that

is "throwing [Twitter] a lifeline" through its partnership. However, in terms of Google acquiring Twitter, the analyst stated that "the market wants to believe it and it is not worth fighting." Finally, Devitt stated that every change Twitter makes to its website is viewed by investors as the "turning point" for the product. The analyst continues to believe that major changes to the platform are unlikely, but "we don't want to wait it out from these lower levels." Bottom line, Twitter shares are likely to continue to see long-term pressure, but in the near-term shares are "mispriced" relative to its growth prospects and competitive position.

Benjamin Mogil upgraded shares of Madison Square Garden to Buy from Hold while establishing a $100 price target following management's commentary in its third quarter conference call that provides an incrementally bullish toward valuation post spin. Mogil noted that previously he viewed the Regional Sports Network (RSN) as both a levered and capital return story and the Sports/Entertainment as an unlevered growth story with no capital return. However, management painted a different picture during its conference call. According to Mogil, RSN has become a "more leveraged story" than previously assumed, based on AMC Networks' spin which was spun out at a 5.5x leverage with no capital return, but drove equity returns through the de-levering process and ensuing M&A. The analyst added that a 5.5x leverage may be too high, it is likely to be "well ahead" of his previous 3x estimate that can maximize shareholder value. Mogil also added that following the conference call the RSN to Sports transfer payment will be greater than expected as well as the possibility and likelihood that the unconsolidated ventures such as Azoff/MSG will begin to return capital in calendar year 2016. Also, the return of capital theme at Sports/Entertainment will be a "strong" support for the valuation of the segment.

Selmon Akyol upgraded shares of Buckeye Partners to Buy from Hold with an established $89 price target as the company demonstrated it was able to take advantage of favorable market conditions. Akyol noted that in the recent quarter, the partnership posted a DCF of $155.7 million, exceeding his expectations of $141.4 million and the Street's expectations of $143.9 million. The company saw "robust" operations at the Global Marine Terminals segment while its operations in Pipelines & Terminals were flat year-over-year at $126 million in Adjusted EBITDA, however, narrow butane blending spreads and lower commodity prices were a $14 million drag on the segment. The analyst said the company took advantage of the market with increased capacity utilization combined with higher recontracting rates. With that said, the opportunity for management to continue posting better than expected results for the remainder of the year still exists.

Nathan Isbee upgraded shares of Brixmor Property Group to Buy from Hold with an established $28 price target as the company's portfolio remains "healthy" and should benefit from a favorable supply/demand environment. Isbee noted that same-store NOI increased 3.4 percent in its recent quarter, against a tough 3.9 percent comp as a 2.4 percent increase in same-store revenue was the primary driver of the same-store NOI growth. Moreover, the company's full-year same store NOI guidance of 3 percent to 3.7 percent is manageable as same-store NOI growth should ramp in the second half of 2015 as anchor re-tenanting are completed. Isbee said Brixmor's less occupancy stands at 92.4 percent while physical occupancy is 90.3 percent. The spread represents $28 million of ABR, providing "good visibility" into future growth. Finally, the company's small shop leased occupancy of 83.2 percent is below average and offers the opportunity to drive significant value over the next few years.