Investing

Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: Eli Lilly, Hertz, LinkedIn, NetApp, SINA, Vodafone, Wells Fargo and More

Stocks were indicated marginally higher on Wednesday ahead of another vote in Greece. The trend that is now almost four years old is that investors just keep buying every dip in the stock market. 24/7 Wall St. reviews dozens of analyst reports each day of the week to find new trading and investing ideas for its readers. Some analyst calls cover stocks to buy, and some cover stocks to sell or avoid.

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

Eli Lilly & Co. (NYSE: LLY) was downgraded to Equal Weight from Overweight, but the price target was raised to $93 from $85 (versus an $88.76 close) at Morgan Stanley. Eli Lilly has a consensus price target of $86.00, lower than the current price, and a 52-week trading range of $60.14 to $90.18.

Hertz Global Holdings Inc. (NYSE: HTZ) was raised to Buy from Hold at Deutsche Bank, and the price target was raised to $24 from $22 (versus a $17.09 close). Hertz has a consensus price target of $24.67 and a 52-week range of $16.65 to $31.61.

LinkedIn Corp. (NYSE: LNKD) was raised to Overweight from Equal Weight and the price target was raised to $250 from $225 (versus a $213.88 close) at Barclays. LinkedIn has a consensus price target of $253.78 and a 52-week range of $156.30 to $276.18.

NetApp Inc. (NASDAQ: NTAP) was raised to Sector Weight from Underperform at Pacific Crest. NetApp has a consensus price target of $34.14 and a 52-week range of $30.26 to $43.75.

SINA Corp. (NASDAQ: SINA) was downgraded to Hold from Buy, but the price target raised to $50 from $47 (versus a $45.08 close) at Deutsche Bank. SINA has a consensus price target of $54.02 and a 52-week range of $31.92 to $61.25.

Vodafone Group PLC (NASDAQ: VOD) was downgraded to Neutral from Buy with a $39 price target (versus a $36.99 close) at Goldman Sachs. Vodafone has a consensus price target of $38.89 and a 52-week range of $28.63 to $39.46.

Wells Fargo & Co. (NYSE: WFC) was reiterated as Buy and the price target was raised to $63 from $60 (versus a $57.25 close) at Argus. Wells Fargo has a consensus price target of $59.08 and a 52-week range of $46.44 to $58.26.

ALSO READ: Why a $1 Billion Lottery May Come Very Soon

Other key analyst upgrades and downgrades this Wednesday were seen as follows:

AGCO Corp. (NYSE: AGCO) was raised to Market Perform from Underperform at Wells Fargo.

Brookfield Renewable Energy Partners L.P. (NYSE: BEP) was raised to Neutral from Underperform at Credit Suisse.

Centene Corp. (NYSE: CNC) was raised to Buy from Hold with an $88 price target (versus a $73.90 close) at Jefferies.

Credit Acceptance Corp. (NASDAQ: CACC) was started as Sell and the price target was put all the way down at $168 (versus a $250.00 close) at Janney Capital Markets.

CSX Corp. (NYSE: CSX) was raised to Outperform from Sector Perform at RBC Capital Markets.

Health Care REIT Inc. (NYSE: HCN) was started as Buy with a $76 price target (versus $a 68.13 close) at SunTrust Robinson Humphrey.

ALSO READ: Analyst Says to Buy Biogen on Weakness

LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: LPLA) was downgraded to Negative from Neutral with a $35 price target (versus a $46.35 close) at Susquehanna.

Navient Corp. (NASDAQ: NAVI) was raised to Overweight from Equal Weight with a $21 price target (versus a $16.42 close) at Barclays. This is after a dismal warning on student loan performance took it to a 52-week low.

Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC) was raised to Outperform from Market Perform at Wells Fargo.

Panera Bread Co. (NASDAQ: PNRA) was raised to Overweight from Underweight and the price target was raised to $200 from $140 (versus a $180.50 close) at Piper Jaffray.

Primerica Inc. (NYSE: PRI) was raised to Strong Buy from Market Perform with a $54 price target (versus a $43.79 close) at Raymond James.

PTC Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: PTCT) was raised to Overweight from Neutral with a $100 price target (versus a $48.94 close) at JPMorgan.

Penn Virginia Corp. (NYSE: PVA) was downgraded to In-Line from Outperform at Imperial Capital.

Workiva Inc. (NYSE: WK) was started as Outperform with an $18 price target (versus a $14.82 close) at Northland Securities.

ALSO READ: 5 Dividends That Keep Getting Raised

In case you missed out on Tuesday’s analyst upgrades and downgrades, they included Amazon, Biogen, GoPro, Intel, Micron Technology, SunPower and over a dozen more.

Essential Tips for Investing: Sponsored

A financial advisor can help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of investment properties. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.

Investing in real estate can diversify your portfolio. But expanding your horizons may add additional costs. If you’re an investor looking to minimize expenses, consider checking out online brokerages. They often offer low investment fees, helping you maximize your profit.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.