Benzinga's Top Ratings Upgrades, Downgrades For February 23, 2021

Upgrades

Exane BNP Paribas upgraded the previous rating for NatWest Group PLC NWG from Underperform to Neutral. NatWest Group earned $0.01 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.12 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $5.15 and a 52-week-low of $2.34. NatWest Group closed at $5.08 at the end of the last trading period.

According to Evercore ISI Group, the prior rating for Intuit Inc INTU was changed from In-Line to Outperform. Intuit earned No EPS Value in the second quarter, compared to $1.16 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $423.74 and a 52-week-low of $187.68. At the end of the last trading period, Intuit closed at $401.55.

For Republic Services Inc RSG, JP Morgan upgraded the previous rating of Neutral to Overweight. For the fourth quarter, Republic Services had an EPS of $1.00, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.91. The stock has a 52-week-high of $103.79 and a 52-week-low of $65.37. At the end of the last trading period, Republic Services closed at $89.02.

BMO Capital upgraded the previous rating for Palo Alto Networks Inc PANW from Market Perform to Outperform. In the second quarter, Palo Alto Networks showed an EPS of $1.55, compared to $1.19 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $403.00 and a 52-week-low of $125.47. At the end of the last trading period, Palo Alto Networks closed at $384.61.

For Starbucks Corp SBUX, BMO Capital upgraded the previous rating of Market Perform to Outperform. In the first quarter, Starbucks showed an EPS of $0.61, compared to $0.79 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $107.75 and a 52-week-low of $50.02. At the end of the last trading period, Starbucks closed at $101.81.

Credit Suisse upgraded the previous rating for adidas AG ADDYY from Underperform to Neutral. adidas earned $3.27 in the third quarter, compared to $3.55 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of adidas shows a 52-week-high of $182.48 and a 52-week-low of $96.21. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $177.44.

According to Stifel, the prior rating for Bio-Techne Corp TECH was changed from Hold to Buy. Bio-Techne earned $1.62 in the second quarter, compared to $1.08 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Bio-Techne shows a 52-week-high of $414.99 and a 52-week-low of $155.17. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $377.00.

For Sunesis Pharmaceuticals Inc SNSS, Oppenheimer upgraded the previous rating of Perform to Outperform. For the third quarter, Sunesis Pharmaceuticals had an EPS of $0.29, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.06. The current stock performance of Sunesis Pharmaceuticals shows a 52-week-high of $3.95 and a 52-week-low of $0.16. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $3.56.

For Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc VRTX, Baird upgraded the previous rating of Neutral to Outperform. For the fourth quarter, Vertex Pharmaceuticals had an EPS of $2.51, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.70. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $306.08 and a 52-week-low of $197.47. Vertex Pharmaceuticals closed at $214.96 at the end of the last trading period.

According to Atlantic Equities, the prior rating for Advance Auto Parts Inc AAP was changed from Underweight to Neutral. In the fourth quarter, Advance Auto Parts showed an EPS of $1.87, compared to $1.64 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $177.92 and a 52-week-low of $71.33. Advance Auto Parts closed at $167.79 at the end of the last trading period.

According to Raymond James, the prior rating for Texas Instruments Inc TXN was changed from Market Perform to Outperform. Texas Instruments earned $1.80 in the fourth quarter, compared to $1.11 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $181.80 and a 52-week-low of $93.09. Texas Instruments closed at $173.09 at the end of the last trading period.

According to RBC Capital, the prior rating for Gates Industrial Corp PLC GTES was changed from Sector Perform to Outperform. For the fourth quarter, Gates Industrial Corp had an EPS of $0.20, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.19. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $17.79 and a 52-week-low of $5.42. Gates Industrial Corp closed at $17.23 at the end of the last trading period.

For SPX FLOW Inc FLOW, RBC Capital upgraded the previous rating of Underperform to Sector Perform. In the fourth quarter, SPX FLOW showed an EPS of $0.56, compared to $0.52 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $63.69 and a 52-week-low of $15.74. SPX FLOW closed at $59.53 at the end of the last trading period.

For iQIYI Inc IQ, KeyBanc upgraded the previous rating of Sector Weight to Overweight. In the fourth quarter, iQIYI showed an EPS of $0.32, compared to $0.49 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $28.03 and a 52-week-low of $14.51. At the end of the last trading period, iQIYI closed at $23.88.

For TimkenSteel Corp TMST, KeyBanc upgraded the previous rating of Sector Weight to Overweight. For the third quarter, TimkenSteel had an EPS of $0.38, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.10. The current stock performance of TimkenSteel shows a 52-week-high of $6.57 and a 52-week-low of $2.16. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $6.30.

See all analyst ratings upgrades.

Downgrades

For DISH Network Corp DISH, Pivotal Research downgraded the previous rating of Buy to Hold. DISH Network earned $1.24 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.69 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of DISH Network shows a 52-week-high of $40.88 and a 52-week-low of $17.09. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $32.26.

GLJ Research downgraded the previous rating for SunPower Corp SPWR from Buy to Hold. For the fourth quarter, SunPower had an EPS of $0.14, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.23. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $57.52 and a 52-week-low of $4.03. SunPower closed at $33.53 at the end of the last trading period.

HC Wainwright & Co. downgraded the previous rating for Intercept Pharmaceuticals Inc ICPT from Neutral to Sell. For the third quarter, Intercept Pharmaceuticals had an EPS of $1.61, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $2.59. The stock has a 52-week-high of $98.03 and a 52-week-low of $23.78. At the end of the last trading period, Intercept Pharmaceuticals closed at $29.86.

According to Morgan Stanley, the prior rating for Tele2 AB TLTZY was changed from Overweight to Equal-Weight. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $7.49 and a 52-week-low of $5.70. Tele2 closed at $6.42 at the end of the last trading period.

According to Pareto, the prior rating for Diana Shipping Inc DSX was changed from Hold to Sell. Diana Shipping earned $0.10 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.06 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Diana Shipping shows a 52-week-high of $3.78 and a 52-week-low of $1.25. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $3.02.

Evercore ISI Group downgraded the previous rating for Principal Financial Group Inc PFG from Outperform to In-Line. In the fourth quarter, Principal Financial Gr showed an EPS of $1.48, compared to $1.41 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $60.52 and a 52-week-low of $23.31. At the end of the last trading period, Principal Financial Gr closed at $59.58.

Jefferies downgraded the previous rating for Host Hotels & Resorts Inc HST from Buy to Hold. In the fourth quarter, Host Hotels & Resorts showed an EPS of $0.02, compared to $0.33 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $17.43 and a 52-week-low of $7.86. At the end of the last trading period, Host Hotels & Resorts closed at $16.69.

Raymond James downgraded the previous rating for The RealReal Inc REAL from Outperform to Market Perform. The RealReal earned $0.49 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.17 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $30.22 and a 52-week-low of $5.00. The RealReal closed at $28.61 at the end of the last trading period.

For Heineken NV HEINY, RBC Capital downgraded the previous rating of Sector Perform to Underperform. The current stock performance of Heineken shows a 52-week-high of $56.04 and a 52-week-low of $37.43. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $51.95.

Jefferies downgraded the previous rating for GasLog Ltd GLOG from Buy to Hold. GasLog earned $0.24 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.14 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $6.50 and a 52-week-low of $2.23. GasLog closed at $5.90 at the end of the last trading period.

See all analyst ratings downgrades.

Initiations

Canaccord Genuity initiated coverage on Qualtrics International Inc XM with a Buy rating. The price target for Qualtrics International is set to $54.00. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $57.28 and a 52-week-low of $41.08. Qualtrics International closed at $45.60 at the end of the last trading period.

Roth Capital initiated coverage on Agrify Corp AGFY with a Buy rating. The price target for Agrify is set to $20.00. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $21.43 and a 52-week-low of $10.59. Agrify closed at $12.66 at the end of the last trading period.

Truist Securities initiated coverage on Qualtrics International Inc XM with a Buy rating. The price target for Qualtrics International is set to $60.00. The stock has a 52-week-high of $57.28 and a 52-week-low of $41.08. At the end of the last trading period, Qualtrics International closed at $45.60.

JP Morgan initiated coverage on Qualtrics International Inc XM with an Overweight rating. The price target for Qualtrics International is set to $55.00. The stock has a 52-week-high of $57.28 and a 52-week-low of $41.08. At the end of the last trading period, Qualtrics International closed at $45.60.

Deutsche Bank initiated coverage on Ping Identity Holding Corp PING with a Hold rating. The price target for Ping Identity Holding is set to $32.00. Ping Identity Holding earned $0.11 in the third quarter, compared to $0.13 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $37.80 and a 52-week-low of $12.02. At the end of the last trading period, Ping Identity Holding closed at $33.57.

Deutsche Bank initiated coverage on Okta Inc OKTA with a Buy rating. The price target for Okta is set to $313.00. For the third quarter, Okta had an EPS of $0.04, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.07. The stock has a 52-week-high of $294.00 and a 52-week-low of $88.66. At the end of the last trading period, Okta closed at $274.47.

JMP Securities initiated coverage on Qualtrics International Inc XM with a Market Outperform rating. The price target for Qualtrics International is set to $55.00. The current stock performance of Qualtrics International shows a 52-week-high of $57.28 and a 52-week-low of $41.08. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $45.60.

JMP Securities initiated coverage on Home Point Capital Inc HMPT with a Market Outperform rating. The price target for Home Point Capital is set to $16.00. The current stock performance of Home Point Capital shows a 52-week-high of $13.15 and a 52-week-low of $9.05. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $11.54.

With a Buy rating, Benchmark initiated coverage on dMY Technology Group Inc II DMYD. The price target seems to have been set at $30.00 for dMY Technology Group Inc. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $21.89 and a 52-week-low of $9.81. dMY Technology Group Inc closed at $20.28 at the end of the last trading period.

With a Market Perform rating, BMO Capital initiated coverage on Qualtrics International Inc XM. The price target seems to have been set at $52.00 for Qualtrics International. The current stock performance of Qualtrics International shows a 52-week-high of $57.28 and a 52-week-low of $41.08. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $45.60.

With a Equal-Weight rating, Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on Qualtrics International Inc XM. The price target seems to have been set at $44.00 for Qualtrics International. The stock has a 52-week-high of $57.28 and a 52-week-low of $41.08. At the end of the last trading period, Qualtrics International closed at $45.60.

With a Equal-Weight rating, Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on Home Point Capital Inc HMPT. The price target seems to have been set at $12.00 for Home Point Capital. The current stock performance of Home Point Capital shows a 52-week-high of $13.15 and a 52-week-low of $9.05. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $11.54.

With an Outperform rating, Raymond James initiated coverage on Qualtrics International Inc XM. The price target seems to have been set at $55.00 for Qualtrics International. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $57.28 and a 52-week-low of $41.08. Qualtrics International closed at $45.60 at the end of the last trading period.

HC Wainwright & Co. initiated coverage on LightPath Technologies Inc LPTH with a Buy rating. The price target for LightPath Technologies is set to $5.50. In the second quarter, LightPath Technologies showed an EPS of $0.01, compared to $0.03 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of LightPath Technologies shows a 52-week-high of $5.45 and a 52-week-low of $0.78. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $4.34.

Piper Sandler initiated coverage on Home Point Capital Inc HMPT with an Overweight rating. The price target for Home Point Capital is set to $18.00. The current stock performance of Home Point Capital shows a 52-week-high of $13.15 and a 52-week-low of $9.05. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $11.54.

Credit Suisse initiated coverage on Home Point Capital Inc HMPT with an Outperform rating. The price target for Home Point Capital is set to $18.00. The current stock performance of Home Point Capital shows a 52-week-high of $13.15 and a 52-week-low of $9.05. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $11.54.

With a Equal-Weight rating, Barclays initiated coverage on Qualtrics International Inc XM. The price target seems to have been set at $45.00 for Qualtrics International. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $57.28 and a 52-week-low of $41.08. Qualtrics International closed at $45.60 at the end of the last trading period.

Wedbush initiated coverage on Home Point Capital Inc HMPT with an Outperform rating. The price target for Home Point Capital is set to $18.00. The stock has a 52-week-high of $13.15 and a 52-week-low of $9.05. At the end of the last trading period, Home Point Capital closed at $11.54.

Credit Suisse initiated coverage on UWM Holdings Corp UWMC with an Outperform rating. The price target for UWM Holdings is set to $10.50. UWM Holdings earned $0.62 in the fourth quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $12.35 and a 52-week-low of $7.92. UWM Holdings closed at $8.01 at the end of the last trading period.

For Smurfit Kappa Group PLC SMFKY, JP Morgan initiated coverage, by setting the current rating at Overweight. The current stock performance of Smurfit Kappa Group shows a 52-week-high of $47.80 and a 52-week-low of $21.64. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $49.31.

Oppenheimer initiated coverage on Qualtrics International Inc XM with an Outperform rating. The price target for Qualtrics International is set to $60.00. The current stock performance of Qualtrics International shows a 52-week-high of $57.28 and a 52-week-low of $41.08. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $45.60.

Stifel initiated coverage on OneWater Marine Inc ONEW with a Buy rating. The price target for OneWater Marine is set to $42.00. Interestingly, in the first quarter, OneWater Marine's EPS was $0.71. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $38.05 and a 52-week-low of $3.41. OneWater Marine closed at $36.50 at the end of the last trading period.

Piper Sandler initiated coverage on Qualtrics International Inc XM with a Neutral rating. The price target for Qualtrics International is set to $49.00. The stock has a 52-week-high of $57.28 and a 52-week-low of $41.08. At the end of the last trading period, Qualtrics International closed at $45.60.

See all analyst ratings initiations.