Benzinga's Top Ratings Upgrades, Downgrades For January 14, 2021

Upgrades

• For Sempra Energy SRE, Wells Fargo upgraded the previous rating of Equal-Weight to Overweight. Sempra Energy earned $1.31 in the third quarter, compared to $1.50 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Sempra Energy shows a 52-week-high of $161.87 and a 52-week-low of $88.00. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $121.20.
• For Old Dominion Freight Line Inc ODFL, Stifel upgraded the previous rating of Sell to Hold. For the third quarter, Old Dominion Freight Line had an EPS of $1.71, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $2.05. The stock has a 52-week-high of $227.21 and a 52-week-low of $119.01. At the end of the last trading period, Old Dominion Freight Line closed at $200.96.
• Truist Securities upgraded the previous rating for Marathon Oil Corp MRO from Hold to Buy. For the third quarter, Marathon Oil had an EPS of $0.28, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.14. The stock has a 52-week-high of $13.47 and a 52-week-low of $3.02. At the end of the last trading period, Marathon Oil closed at $8.04.
• For Intel Corp INTC, Cowen & Co. upgraded the previous rating of Market Perform to Outperform. For the third quarter, Intel had an EPS of $1.11, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.42. The stock has a 52-week-high of $69.29 and a 52-week-low of $43.61. At the end of the last trading period, Intel closed at $56.95.
• HSBC upgraded the previous rating for Cognex Corp CGNX from Hold to Buy. For the third quarter, Cognex had an EPS of $0.47, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.23. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $88.15 and a 52-week-low of $35.20. Cognex closed at $84.15 at the end of the last trading period.
• According to Atlantic Equities, the prior rating for Intel Corp INTC was changed from Underweight to Neutral. In the third quarter, Intel showed an EPS of $1.11, compared to $1.42 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $69.29 and a 52-week-low of $43.61. Intel closed at $56.95 at the end of the last trading period.
• Truist Securities upgraded the previous rating for Apache Corp APA from Hold to Buy. In the third quarter, Apache showed an EPS of $0.16, compared to $0.29 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Apache shows a 52-week-high of $33.77 and a 52-week-low of $3.80. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $17.80.
• According to HSBC, the prior rating for Chevron Corp CVX was changed from Hold to Buy. Chevron earned $0.11 in the third quarter, compared to $1.59 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $117.29 and a 52-week-low of $51.60. Chevron closed at $93.25 at the end of the last trading period.
• According to Baird, the prior rating for AeroVironment Inc AVAV was changed from Neutral to Outperform. For the second quarter, AeroVironment had an EPS of $0.48, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.34. The current stock performance of AeroVironment shows a 52-week-high of $99.81 and a 52-week-low of $45.00. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $96.17.
• For PPG Industries Inc PPG, Berenberg upgraded the previous rating of Hold to Buy. PPG Industries earned $1.93 in the third quarter, compared to $1.67 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of PPG Industries shows a 52-week-high of $153.06 and a 52-week-low of $69.77. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $152.03.
• RBC Capital upgraded the previous rating for Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc CMG from Sector Perform to Outperform. In the third quarter, Chipotle Mexican Grill showed an EPS of $3.76, compared to $3.82 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $1435.52 and a 52-week-low of $415.00. At the end of the last trading period, Chipotle Mexican Grill closed at $1394.69.
• Raymond James upgraded the previous rating for Comerica Inc CMA from Market Perform to Outperform. For the third quarter, Comerica had an EPS of $1.44, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.92. The current stock performance of Comerica shows a 52-week-high of $69.23 and a 52-week-low of $24.28. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $63.69.
• ScotiaBank upgraded the previous rating for ConocoPhillips COP from Sector Perform to Sector Outperform. ConocoPhillips earned $0.31 in the third quarter, compared to $0.82 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $65.61 and a 52-week-low of $20.84. At the end of the last trading period, ConocoPhillips closed at $47.10.

See all analyst ratings upgrades.

Downgrades

• According to JP Morgan, the prior rating for Urban Outfitters Inc URBN was changed from Neutral to Underweight. Urban Outfitters earned $0.78 in the third quarter, compared to $0.56 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $32.86 and a 52-week-low of $12.28. Urban Outfitters closed at $28.74 at the end of the last trading period.
• For TransDigm Group Inc TDG, B of A Securities downgraded the previous rating of Buy to Neutral. TransDigm Gr earned $2.89 in the fourth quarter, compared to $5.62 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $673.51 and a 52-week-low of $200.06. TransDigm Gr closed at $610.99 at the end of the last trading period.
• Loop Capital downgraded the previous rating for Penn National Gaming Inc PENN from Hold to Sell. In the third quarter, Penn National Gaming showed an EPS of $0.93, compared to $0.38 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Penn National Gaming shows a 52-week-high of $106.80 and a 52-week-low of $3.75. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $104.21.
• According to B of A Securities, the prior rating for Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holdings Inc OLLI was changed from Buy to Underperform. For the third quarter, Ollie's Bargain Outlet had an EPS of $0.65, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.41. The current stock performance of Ollie's Bargain Outlet shows a 52-week-high of $112.58 and a 52-week-low of $28.83. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $96.03.
• For Nordstrom Inc JWN, Telsey Advisory Group downgraded the previous rating of Outperform to Market Perform. For the third quarter, Nordstrom had an EPS of $0.22, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.81. The current stock performance of Nordstrom shows a 52-week-high of $42.02 and a 52-week-low of $11.72. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $37.59.
• Cowen & Co. downgraded the previous rating for IDEX Corp IEX from Outperform to Market Perform. IDEX earned $1.40 in the third quarter, compared to $1.52 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of IDEX shows a 52-week-high of $211.71 and a 52-week-low of $104.56. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $203.04.
• BMO Capital downgraded the previous rating for VMware Inc VMW from Outperform to Market Perform. For the third quarter, VMware had an EPS of $1.66, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.49. The stock has a 52-week-high of $163.17 and a 52-week-low of $86.00. At the end of the last trading period, VMware closed at $133.20.
• For Globant SA GLOB, Piper Sandler downgraded the previous rating of Overweight to Neutral. In the third quarter, Globant showed an EPS of $0.60, compared to $0.62 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Globant shows a 52-week-high of $230.47 and a 52-week-low of $70.83. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $212.78.
• JP Morgan downgraded the previous rating for FuelCell Energy Inc FCEL from Neutral to Underweight. FuelCell Energy earned $0.07 in the third quarter, compared to $0.18 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $20.94 and a 52-week-low of $1.00. At the end of the last trading period, FuelCell Energy closed at $19.14.
• JP Morgan downgraded the previous rating for DuPont de Nemours Inc DD from Overweight to Neutral. For the third quarter, DuPont de Nemours had an EPS of $0.88, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.96. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $87.27 and a 52-week-low of $28.33. DuPont de Nemours closed at $83.55 at the end of the last trading period.
• National Bank Of Canada downgraded the previous rating for Ballard Power Systems Inc BLDP from Outperform to Sector Perform. For the third quarter, Ballard Power Systems had an EPS of $0.05, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.04. The stock has a 52-week-high of $38.00 and a 52-week-low of $6.95. At the end of the last trading period, Ballard Power Systems closed at $36.58.
• For Advanced Micro Devices Inc AMD, BMO Capital downgraded the previous rating of Market Perform to Underperform. For the third quarter, Advanced Micro Devices had an EPS of $0.41, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.18. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $99.23 and a 52-week-low of $36.75. Advanced Micro Devices closed at $91.78 at the end of the last trading period.
• According to KeyBanc, the prior rating for Regal Beloit Corp RBC was changed from Overweight to Sector Weight. For the third quarter, Regal Beloit had an EPS of $1.73, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.35. The current stock performance of Regal Beloit shows a 52-week-high of $146.97 and a 52-week-low of $51.99. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $137.44.
• According to KeyBanc, the prior rating for Altra Industrial Motion Corp AIMC was changed from Overweight to Sector Weight. Altra Industrial Motion earned $0.87 in the third quarter, compared to $0.69 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $66.38 and a 52-week-low of $12.00. Altra Industrial Motion closed at $62.52 at the end of the last trading period.

See all analyst ratings downgrades.

Initiations

• Wolfe Research initiated coverage on CIIG Merger Corp CIIC with an Outperform rating. The stock has a 52-week-high of $37.18 and a 52-week-low of $9.30. At the end of the last trading period, CIIG Merger closed at $26.63.
• With a Buy rating, Benchmark initiated coverage on Velodyne Lidar Inc VLDR. The price target seems to have been set at $32.00 for Velodyne Lidar. Interestingly, in the third quarter, Velodyne Lidar's EPS was $0.06. The current stock performance of Velodyne Lidar shows a 52-week-high of $30.81 and a 52-week-low of $11.80. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $23.91.
• With a Buy rating, Stifel initiated coverage on Twilio Inc TWLO. The price target seems to have been set at $425.00 for Twilio. Twilio earned $0.04 in the third quarter, compared to $0.03 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Twilio shows a 52-week-high of $381.95 and a 52-week-low of $68.06. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $368.72.
• BMO Capital initiated coverage on Trex Co Inc TREX with a Market Perform rating. The price target for Trex Co is set to $90.00. In the third quarter, Trex Co showed an EPS of $0.41, compared to $0.72 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $313.26 and a 52-week-low of $63.32. Trex Co closed at $92.17 at the end of the last trading period.
• With a Neutral rating, JP Morgan initiated coverage on Plug Power Inc PLUG. The price target seems to have been set at $60.00 for Plug Power. In the third quarter, Plug Power showed an EPS of $0.04, compared to $0.08 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $73.90 and a 52-week-low of $2.53. At the end of the last trading period, Plug Power closed at $69.50.
• BMO Capital initiated coverage on Masco Corp MAS with a Market Perform rating. The price target for Masco is set to $62.00. For the third quarter, Masco had an EPS of $1.04, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.68. The stock has a 52-week-high of $60.16 and a 52-week-low of $27.04. At the end of the last trading period, Masco closed at $56.07.
• BMO Capital initiated coverage on Fortune Brands Home & Security Inc FBHS with an Outperform rating. The price target for Fortune Brands Home is set to $102.00. Fortune Brands Home earned $1.19 in the third quarter, compared to $0.95 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $92.59 and a 52-week-low of $33.90. Fortune Brands Home closed at $87.88 at the end of the last trading period.
• With an Overweight rating, Piper Sandler initiated coverage on Blackstone Group Inc BX. The price target seems to have been set at $71.00 for Blackstone Group. For the third quarter, Blackstone Group had an EPS of $0.63, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.58. The current stock performance of Blackstone Group shows a 52-week-high of $65.75 and a 52-week-low of $33.00. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $63.97.
• With a Market Perform rating, BMO Capital initiated coverage on Beacon Roofing Supply Inc BECN. The price target seems to have been set at $47.00 for Beacon Roofing Supply. For the fourth quarter, Beacon Roofing Supply had an EPS of $1.30, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.04. The stock has a 52-week-high of $44.33 and a 52-week-low of $11.66. At the end of the last trading period, Beacon Roofing Supply closed at $42.92.
• For Penn National Gaming Inc PENN, KeyBanc initiated coverage, by setting the current rating at Sector Weight. Penn National Gaming earned $0.93 in the third quarter, compared to $0.38 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $106.80 and a 52-week-low of $3.75. At the end of the last trading period, Penn National Gaming closed at $104.21.
• KeyBanc initiated coverage on MGM Resorts International MGM with a Sector Weight rating. For the third quarter, MGM Resorts Intl had an EPS of $1.08, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.31. The stock has a 52-week-high of $34.63 and a 52-week-low of $5.90. At the end of the last trading period, MGM Resorts Intl closed at $30.04.
• KeyBanc initiated coverage on Churchill Downs Inc CHDN with an Overweight rating. The price target for Churchill Downs is set to $239.00. For the third quarter, Churchill Downs had an EPS of $1.19, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.55. The stock has a 52-week-high of $215.14 and a 52-week-low of $52.90. At the end of the last trading period, Churchill Downs closed at $204.19.
• With an Overweight rating, KeyBanc initiated coverage on Caesars Entertainment Inc CZR. The price target seems to have been set at $89.00 for Caesars Entertainment. Caesars Entertainment earned $1.25 in the second quarter, compared to $0.39 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Caesars Entertainment shows a 52-week-high of $80.69 and a 52-week-low of $3.22. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $76.52.
• With an Outperform rating, BMO Capital initiated coverage on The AZEK Co Inc AZEK. The price target seems to have been set at $48.00 for AZEK Co. Interestingly, in the fourth quarter, AZEK Co's EPS was $0.29. The current stock performance of AZEK Co shows a 52-week-high of $42.16 and a 52-week-low of $30.88. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $40.30.

See all analyst ratings initiations.