Benzinga's Top Ratings Upgrades, Downgrades For October 21, 2022

Upgrades

SVB Leerink upgraded the previous rating for Moderna Inc MRNA from Underperform to Market Perform. Moderna earned $5.24 in the second quarter, compared to $6.46 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $249.42 and a 52-week-low of $115.03. At the end of the last trading period, Moderna closed at $118.38.

For Farmers & Merchants Bancorp Inc FMAO, Piper Sandler upgraded the previous rating of Underweight to Neutral. For the third quarter, Farmers & Merchants had an EPS of $0.68, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.53. The stock has a 52-week-high of $42.13 and a 52-week-low of $25.17. At the end of the last trading period, Farmers & Merchants closed at $25.33.

According to Truist Securities, the prior rating for AT&T Inc T was changed from Hold to Buy. In the third quarter, AT&T showed an EPS of $0.68, compared to $0.87 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of AT&T shows a 52-week-high of $27.48 and a 52-week-low of $14.46. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $16.74.

For GFL Environmental Inc GFL, B of A Securities upgraded the previous rating of Neutral to Buy. For the second quarter, GFL Envirn had an EPS of $0.19, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.08. The current stock performance of GFL Envirn shows a 52-week-high of $38.05 and a 52-week-low of $23.10. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $25.02.

For Albertsons Companies Inc ACI, BMO Capital upgraded the previous rating of Underperform to Market Perform. In the second quarter, Albertsons Companies showed an EPS of $0.72, compared to $0.64 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Albertsons Companies shows a 52-week-high of $37.99 and a 52-week-low of $24.34. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $27.50.

Needham upgraded the previous rating for Qualys Inc QLYS from Hold to Buy. For the second quarter, Qualys had an EPS of $0.89, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.79. The stock has a 52-week-high of $162.36 and a 52-week-low of $108.10. At the end of the last trading period, Qualys closed at $130.57.

For HealthEquity Inc HQY, Goldman Sachs upgraded the previous rating of Sell to Neutral. In the second quarter, HealthEquity showed an EPS of $0.33, compared to $0.40 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $74.10 and a 52-week-low of $43.98. At the end of the last trading period, HealthEquity closed at $73.98.

According to Raymond James, the prior rating for Juniper Networks Inc JNPR was changed from Outperform to Strong Buy. In the second quarter, Juniper Networks showed an EPS of $0.42, compared to $0.43 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Juniper Networks shows a 52-week-high of $38.14 and a 52-week-low of $25.18. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $27.61.

See all analyst ratings upgrades.

Downgrades

For CVB Financial Corp CVBF, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods downgraded the previous rating of Outperform to Market Perform. In the third quarter, CVB Financial showed an EPS of $0.46, compared to $0.37 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of CVB Financial shows a 52-week-high of $28.25 and a 52-week-low of $21.36. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $27.50.

According to Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, the prior rating for First Internet Bancorp INBK was changed from Outperform to Market Perform. For the third quarter, First Internet had an EPS of $0.90, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.27. The current stock performance of First Internet shows a 52-week-high of $53.56 and a 52-week-low of $24.50. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $24.57.

Craig-Hallum downgraded the previous rating for First Internet Bancorp INBK from Buy to Hold. For the third quarter, First Internet had an EPS of $0.90, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.27. The current stock performance of First Internet shows a 52-week-high of $53.56 and a 52-week-low of $24.50. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $24.57.

According to Raymond James, the prior rating for Toll Brothers Inc TOL was changed from Outperform to Market Perform. In the third quarter, Toll Brothers showed an EPS of $2.35, compared to $1.87 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Toll Brothers shows a 52-week-high of $72.75 and a 52-week-low of $40.15. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $40.28.

According to Raymond James, the prior rating for PulteGroup Inc PHM was changed from Strong Buy to Market Perform. For the second quarter, PulteGroup had an EPS of $2.73, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.72. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $58.09 and a 52-week-low of $35.03. PulteGroup closed at $36.59 at the end of the last trading period.

According to Raymond James, the prior rating for M.D.C. Holdings Inc MDC was changed from Strong Buy to Market Perform. For the second quarter, M.D.C. Holdings had an EPS of $2.59, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $2.11. The stock has a 52-week-high of $56.53 and a 52-week-low of $27.04. At the end of the last trading period, M.D.C. Holdings closed at $28.70.

For Lennar Corp LEN, Raymond James downgraded the previous rating of Outperform to Market Perform. In the third quarter, Lennar showed an EPS of $5.18, compared to $3.27 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $116.36 and a 52-week-low of $62.54. At the end of the last trading period, Lennar closed at $71.38.

Raymond James downgraded the previous rating for KB Home KBH from Strong Buy to Market Perform. KB Home earned $2.86 in the third quarter, compared to $1.65 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $50.20 and a 52-week-low of $24.78. KB Home closed at $26.48 at the end of the last trading period.

For D.R. Horton Inc DHI, Raymond James downgraded the previous rating of Strong Buy to Outperform. D.R. Horton earned $4.67 in the third quarter, compared to $3.10 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $108.64 and a 52-week-low of $59.25. At the end of the last trading period, D.R. Horton closed at $67.14.

Raymond James downgraded the previous rating for Banner Corp BANR from Strong Buy to Outperform. In the third quarter, Banner showed an EPS of $1.42, compared to $1.57 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Banner shows a 52-week-high of $69.67 and a 52-week-low of $52.35. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $67.29.

SVB Leerink downgraded the previous rating for Immunic Inc IMUX from Outperform to Market Perform. Immunic earned $0.72 in the second quarter, compared to $0.82 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $14.50 and a 52-week-low of $2.52. At the end of the last trading period, Immunic closed at $9.20.

For Zymeworks BC Inc ZYME, SVB Leerink downgraded the previous rating of Outperform to Market Perform. In the second quarter, Zymeworks BC showed an EPS of $0.92, compared to $1.31 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Zymeworks BC shows a 52-week-high of $17.27 and a 52-week-low of $4.11. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $6.45.

According to Janney Montgomery Scott, the prior rating for SVB Financial Group SIVB was changed from Buy to Neutral. SVB Finl Gr earned $7.21 in the third quarter, compared to $6.24 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of SVB Finl Gr shows a 52-week-high of $752.68 and a 52-week-low of $301.88. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $302.46.

According to JP Morgan, the prior rating for Robert Half International Inc RHI was changed from Overweight to Neutral. For the third quarter, Robert Half International had an EPS of $1.53, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.53. The stock has a 52-week-high of $125.77 and a 52-week-low of $71.96. At the end of the last trading period, Robert Half International closed at $79.84.

For Snap Inc SNAP, B of A Securities downgraded the previous rating of Buy to Neutral. For the third quarter, Snap had an EPS of $0.08, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.17. The stock has a 52-week-high of $47.71 and a 52-week-low of $9.34. At the end of the last trading period, Snap closed at $10.79.

According to Piper Sandler, the prior rating for SVB Financial Group SIVB was changed from Overweight to Neutral. For the third quarter, SVB Finl Gr had an EPS of $7.21, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $6.24. The current stock performance of SVB Finl Gr shows a 52-week-high of $752.68 and a 52-week-low of $301.88. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $302.46.

For Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp CTSH, B of A Securities downgraded the previous rating of Buy to Neutral. Cognizant Tech Solns earned $1.14 in the second quarter, compared to $0.99 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $93.47 and a 52-week-low of $55.40. At the end of the last trading period, Cognizant Tech Solns closed at $59.78.

According to Bernstein, the prior rating for Snap Inc SNAP was changed from Outperform to Market Perform. For the third quarter, Snap had an EPS of $0.08, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.17. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $47.71 and a 52-week-low of $9.34. Snap closed at $10.79 at the end of the last trading period.

According to MKM Partners, the prior rating for Snap Inc SNAP was changed from Buy to Neutral. For the third quarter, Snap had an EPS of $0.08, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.17. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $47.71 and a 52-week-low of $9.34. Snap closed at $10.79 at the end of the last trading period.

According to Oppenheimer, the prior rating for NeuBase Therapeutics Inc NBSE was changed from Outperform to Perform. In the third quarter, NeuBase Therapeutics showed an EPS of $0.26, compared to $0.29 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $3.18 and a 52-week-low of $0.27. At the end of the last trading period, NeuBase Therapeutics closed at $0.30.

According to Stifel, the prior rating for Mister Car Wash Inc MCW was changed from Buy to Hold. For the second quarter, Mister Car Wash had an EPS of $0.11, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.14. The current stock performance of Mister Car Wash shows a 52-week-high of $19.10 and a 52-week-low of $8.21. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $8.40.

According to Needham, the prior rating for Rapid7 Inc RPD was changed from Buy to Hold. Rapid7 earned $0.01 in the second quarter, compared to $0.07 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $118.42 and a 52-week-low of $38.36. Rapid7 closed at $45.28 at the end of the last trading period.

For The Hain Celestial Group Inc HAIN, Piper Sandler downgraded the previous rating of Overweight to Neutral. For the fourth quarter, Hain Celestial Group had an EPS of $0.08, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.39. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $43.53 and a 52-week-low of $15.23. Hain Celestial Group closed at $15.97 at the end of the last trading period.

RBC Capital downgraded the previous rating for Equifax Inc EFX from Outperform to Sector Perform. Equifax earned $1.73 in the third quarter, compared to $1.85 in the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $294.93 and a 52-week-low of $149.13. Equifax closed at $150.24 at the end of the last trading period.

For Mechel PAO MTL, RBC Capital downgraded the previous rating of Outperform to Sector Perform. NoneAt the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $4.32 and a 52-week-low of $1.88. Mechel PAO closed at $2.25 at the end of the last trading period.

According to RBC Capital, the prior rating for Ovintiv Inc OVV was changed from Outperform to Sector Perform. For the second quarter, Ovintiv had an EPS of $2.41, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.11. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $63.30 and a 52-week-low of $33.59. Ovintiv closed at $50.15 at the end of the last trading period.

See all analyst ratings downgrades.

Initiations

Cantor Fitzgerald initiated coverage on Palo Alto Networks Inc PANW with an Overweight rating. The price target for Palo Alto Networks is set to $220.00. For the fourth quarter, Palo Alto Networks had an EPS of $0.80, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.53. The current stock performance of Palo Alto Networks shows a 52-week-high of $213.63 and a 52-week-low of $140.52. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $158.57.

Cantor Fitzgerald initiated coverage on Zscaler Inc ZS with a Neutral rating. The price target for Zscaler is set to $160.00. In the fourth quarter, Zscaler showed an EPS of $0.25, compared to $0.14 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Zscaler shows a 52-week-high of $323.55 and a 52-week-low of $125.12. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $150.23.

With a Hold rating, Jefferies initiated coverage on Sol-Gel Technologies Ltd SLGL. The price target seems to have been set at $5.50 for Sol-Gel Technologies. For the second quarter, Sol-Gel Technologies had an EPS of $0.01, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.35. The stock has a 52-week-high of $8.51 and a 52-week-low of $3.94. At the end of the last trading period, Sol-Gel Technologies closed at $4.76.

With a Buy rating, UBS initiated coverage on Bruker Corp BRKR. The price target seems to have been set at $70.00 for Bruker. For the second quarter, Bruker had an EPS of $0.45, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.44. The stock has a 52-week-high of $83.69 and a 52-week-low of $48.42. At the end of the last trading period, Bruker closed at $55.98.

With a Neutral rating, UBS initiated coverage on Bloomin Brands Inc BLMN. The price target seems to have been set at $23.00 for Bloomin Brands. In the second quarter, Bloomin Brands showed an EPS of $0.68, compared to $0.81 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $25.51 and a 52-week-low of $15.89. Bloomin Brands closed at $21.17 at the end of the last trading period.

Truist Securities initiated coverage on Air Transport Services Group Inc ATSG with a Hold rating. The price target for Air Transport Services Gr is set to $26.00. In the second quarter, Air Transport Services Gr showed an EPS of $0.59, compared to $0.35 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $34.54 and a 52-week-low of $23.32. At the end of the last trading period, Air Transport Services Gr closed at $28.73.

With an Outperform rating, RBC Capital initiated coverage on Axonics Inc AXNX. The price target seems to have been set at $85.00 for Axonics. In the second quarter, Axonics showed an EPS of $0.47, compared to $0.59 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Axonics shows a 52-week-high of $79.92 and a 52-week-low of $38.41. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $68.49.

Barclays initiated coverage on CCC Intelligent Solutions Holdings Inc CCCS with a Equal-Weight rating. The price target for CCC Intelligent Solutions is set to $10.00. In the second quarter, CCC Intelligent Solutions showed an EPS of $0.06, compared to $0.05 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $11.54 and a 52-week-low of $7.41. CCC Intelligent Solutions closed at $8.55 at the end of the last trading period.

Cantor Fitzgerald initiated coverage on Cerberus Cyber Sentinel Corp CISO with an Overweight rating. The price target for Cerberus Cyber Sentinel is set to $5.00. In the second quarter, Cerberus Cyber Sentinel showed an EPS of $0.05, compared to $0.02 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $50.00 and a 52-week-low of $2.15. Cerberus Cyber Sentinel closed at $3.02 at the end of the last trading period.

Goldman Sachs initiated coverage on Workiva Inc WK with a Buy rating. The price target for Workiva is set to $101.00. For the second quarter, Workiva had an EPS of $0.17, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.07. The stock has a 52-week-high of $131.91 and a 52-week-low of $59.43. At the end of the last trading period, Workiva closed at $72.91.

With a Buy rating, Goldman Sachs initiated coverage on Vertex Inc VERX. The price target seems to have been set at $20.00 for Vertex. Vertex earned $0.06 in the second quarter, compared to $0.08 in the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of Vertex shows a 52-week-high of $16.97 and a 52-week-low of $9.44. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $15.94.

With a Sell rating, Goldman Sachs initiated coverage on BlackLine Inc BL. The price target seems to have been set at $57.00 for BlackLine. In the second quarter, BlackLine showed an EPS of $0.07, compared to $0.15 from the year-ago quarter. The current stock performance of BlackLine shows a 52-week-high of $104.64 and a 52-week-low of $49.66. Moreover, at the end of the last trading period, the closing price was at $56.63.

With a Neutral rating, Goldman Sachs initiated coverage on E2open Parent Holdings Inc ETWO. The price target seems to have been set at $5.50 for E2open Parent Holdings. For the second quarter, E2open Parent Holdings had an EPS of $0.05, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.02. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $11.56 and a 52-week-low of $5.01. E2open Parent Holdings closed at $5.04 at the end of the last trading period.

Goldman Sachs initiated coverage on Zuora Inc ZUO with a Neutral rating. The price target for Zuora is set to $9.00. In the second quarter, Zuora showed an EPS of $0.03, compared to $0.04 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $18.80 and a 52-week-low of $6.13. At the end of the last trading period, Zuora closed at $7.05.

With a Buy rating, Jefferies initiated coverage on Phathom Pharmaceuticals Inc PHAT. The price target seems to have been set at $16.00 for Phathom Pharmaceuticals. Phathom Pharmaceuticals earned $1.33 in the second quarter, compared to $1.00 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $20.30 and a 52-week-low of $6.09. At the end of the last trading period, Phathom Pharmaceuticals closed at $9.92.

With a Hold rating, Jefferies initiated coverage on Viatris Inc VTRS. The price target seems to have been set at $11.00 for Viatris. In the second quarter, Viatris showed an EPS of $0.88, compared to $0.98 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $15.60 and a 52-week-low of $8.42. Viatris closed at $9.34 at the end of the last trading period.

Oppenheimer initiated coverage on Revolution Medicines Inc RVMD with an Outperform rating. The price target for Revolution Medicines is set to $30.00. For the second quarter, Revolution Medicines had an EPS of $0.82, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.60. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $27.49 and a 52-week-low of $14.08. Revolution Medicines closed at $17.68 at the end of the last trading period.

Citigroup initiated coverage on Ormat Technologies Inc ORA with a Neutral rating. The price target for Ormat Technologies is set to $91.00. For the second quarter, Ormat Technologies had an EPS of $0.22, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.23. The stock has a 52-week-high of $98.47 and a 52-week-low of $60.32. At the end of the last trading period, Ormat Technologies closed at $83.69.

Credit Suisse initiated coverage on Univar Solutions Inc UNVR with an Outperform rating. The price target for Univar Solns is set to $31.00. In the second quarter, Univar Solns showed an EPS of $1.00, compared to $0.57 from the year-ago quarter. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $34.00 and a 52-week-low of $21.49. Univar Solns closed at $23.90 at the end of the last trading period.

With an Underperform rating, Credit Suisse initiated coverage on Axalta Coating Systems Ltd AXTA. The price target seems to have been set at $20.00 for Axalta Coating Sys. For the second quarter, Axalta Coating Sys had an EPS of $0.41, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.48. At the moment, the stock has a 52-week-high of $34.12 and a 52-week-low of $20.66. Axalta Coating Sys closed at $22.78 at the end of the last trading period.

See all analyst ratings initiations.