Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: Celgene, Kroger, Nike, Skyworks, Western Digital and Many More

June 16, 2017 by Lee Jackson

The futures are trading mixed this morning as we end what has been a very roller-coaster week for investors. Technology still feels wobbly after some serious selling, and the Federal Reserve raised interest rates for what could be the last time until December. With this bull market now more than eight years old, investors have shown for more than the past five years that they will buy all market pullbacks. Those same investors also still are looking for new trading and investing ideas.

24/7 Wall St. reviews dozens of analyst research reports each morning to find new trading and investing ideas for its readers. Some analyst calls cover stocks to buy, while others cover stocks to sell or avoid.

These are this Friday’s top analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations.

Axcelis Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: ACLS) saw it price target raised to $27 from $23 at Wedbush, based on increased confidence in firm’s second half of 2017 outlook. The consensus price target for the company on Wall Street is $24. The stock has a 52-week trading range of $9.68 to $26.53. The shares closed Thursday at $22.70.

Booz Allen Hamilton Inc. (NYSE: BAH) was downgraded to Hold from Buy at Drexel Hamilton. Its 52-week trading range is $27.47 to $39.67, and the consensus price objective is $41.73. The shares closed Thursday at $39.33

Celgene Corp. (NASDAQ: CELG) was raised to Outperform from Market Perform at Leerink Partners. The 52-week range for the biotech giant is $94.42 to $127.64. The consensus price target is $141.88, and the stock closed trading Thursday at $120.61.

Integrated Devices Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: IDTI) saw its target price raised to $32 from $28 at Needham, following positive meetings with company management. That compares with a consensus price target of $28.69. The 52-week range is $18.49 to $26.66, and the stock closed trading on Thursday at $24.41.

Kroger Inc. (NYSE: KR) was downgraded to Neutral from Overweight at JPMorgan. The grocery giant was also removed from the Best Ideas List at Guggenheim. The 52-week range for the stock is $24.37 to $37.97, and the consensus price objective is $32.50. The shares closed Thursday right near the 52-week low at $24.56, which was down a stunning 19%.

Nike Inc. (NYSE: NKE) was downgraded to Neutral from Overweight at JPMorgan. The 52-week range for the clothing and footwear giant is $49.01 to $60.33, and the consensus price target is posted at $62.24. The shares closed most recently at $52.90, down over 3%.

Noble Energy Inc. (NYSE: NBL) was downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Citigroup. The 52-week range is $3.68 to $9.68, and the consensus price target is $6.24. The shares closed Thursday at $3.82.

Performance Food Group Co. (NYSE: PFGC) was added to the Best Ideas List at Guggenheim, very possibly replacing Kroger. The 52-week range for the stock is $19.95 to $29.92, and the consensus price target is $30.10. The shares closed Thursday at $27.90.

Skyworks Solutions Inc. (NASDAQ: SWKS) was resumed with an Outperform rating at Raymond James, and with a $120 price target. That compares with the consensus price objective of $111.08. The 52-week range is $$57.11 to $112.11. The stock closed trading Thursday at $102.28.

Stanley Black & Decker Inc. (NYSE: SWK) was started with a Buy rating at Seaport Global Securities with a $160 price target. The consensus target is $150.31. The 52-week range for the stock is $103.86 to $142.06, and the shares closed trading Thursday at $140.96.

Western Digital Corp. (NASDAQ: WDC) was started with an Outperform rating and a $130 price target at Evercore ISI. That compares with a consensus price target of $111.77. The 52-week range for the hard disk drive giant is $41.64 to $92.50. The shares closed Thursday at $87.31.

Other key analysts upgrades and downgrades were seen in the following:

Enlink Midstream Partners L.P. (NYSE: ENLK) was raised to Buy from Hold at Stifel with a target price of $18. That’s versus a consensus price target of $19.71. The 52-week trading range for the shares is $14.89 to $19.89. The stock closed Thursday at $15.54, down over 4%.

Janus Henderson Group PLC (NYSE: JHG) was started with a Neutral rating at Citigroup. The 52-week range is $30.24 to $34.85, and the consensus price objective is posted at $33.42. The stock closed Thursday at $33.11.

Keysight Technologies Inc. (NYSE: KEYS) was raised to Outperform from Neutral at Baird, and it set a price target of $47 on the shares. That compares with a consensus price target of $46.94. The 52-week range is $26.87 to $41.99, and the shares closed Thursday at $36.53.

Liberty Global PLC (NASDAQ: LBTYA) was started with a Neutral rating at UBS with a $31 price target. The 52-week range is $26.16 to $37.69 and the consensus price target is $38.36. The shares closed Thursday at $28.69

Masonite International Corp. (NYSE: DOOR) was resumed with an Outperform rating at Wedbush. Its 52-week trading range is $55.60 to $85.30, and the consensus price target is $87. The stock closed Thursday at $75.65.

Oil States International Inc. (NYSE: OIS) was started with an Outperform rating at Wells Fargo. The 52-week range is $26.40 to $41.75. The consensus price target is set at $37.71. The stock closed trading on Thursday at $28.05.

Regency Centers Inc. (NYSE: REG) was raised to Buy from Hold at Jefferies. The 52-week range is $58.63 to $82.44, and the consensus price target is $72.62. The shares closed Thursday at $64.06.

In case you missed it, Thursday’s top analyst upgrades and downgrades included Alphabet, Enterprise Products, GrubHub, Mattel, Ryanair, Splunk and many more.

Sponsored: Want to Retire Early? Here’s a Great First Step

Want retirement to come a few years earlier than you’d planned? Or are you ready to retire now, but want an extra set of eyes on your finances?

Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help you build your plan to retire early. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.

Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.