Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: Broadcom, Check Point Software, Cleveland Cliffs, Crocs, Papa Johns, Trimble, Twilio and More

May 9, 2018 by Lee Jackson

The futures traded higher Wednesday morning as the fallout from the United States exiting the Iran deal appears to be somewhat minimal, at least for now. Some investors have reconsidered what the nine-year bull market may bring in 2018 and beyond. It has become clear that the multiyear trend of buying pullbacks is now more vulnerable to sellers, volatility and each major news headline. Many investors are finding it harder to decide how they want their assets positioned for the longer term.

24/7 Wall St. reviews dozens of analyst research reports each day of the week to find new investing and trading ideas for our readers. Some of the top analyst reports cover stocks to buy. Other analyst calls cover stocks to sell or to avoid.

Additional color and commentary have been added on some of these daily analyst calls. The consensus analyst price target data are from the Thomson Reuters sell-side research service.

These were the top analyst upgrades, downgrades and other research calls from Wednesday, May 9, 2018.

Archrock Inc. (NYSE: AROC) was raised to Buy from Neutral at B. Reilly FBR, and its price target for the stock jumped to $14 from $12. The Wall Street consensus target in comparison is set at $13.21. The 52-week trading range is $8.25 to $13.01. The shares closed Tuesday at $10.75.

Broadcom Ltd. (NASDAQ: AVGO) was downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Nomura. The 52-week trading range for the semiconductor giant is $221.98 to $285.65. The consensus target price is posted at $321.50, and the stock closed trading on Tuesday at $238.85.

Camping World Holdings Inc. (NYSE: CWH) saw its price target lowered at Monness Crespi & Hardt to $35 from $55, which compares to a current consensus target price of $52.30. The 52-week trading range for the RV dealership giant is $22.13 to $47.62. The stock closed trading on Tuesday at $23.02.

Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: CHKP) was downgraded to Hold from Buy at Argus. The 52-week trading range for the internet and software security giant is $93.76 to $119.20. The consensus price target is posted at $105.96. The stock closed Tuesday at $99.93.

Cleveland Cliffs Inc. (NYSE: CLF) was started with a Buy rating and a $10 price target at Seaport Global Securities. That compares with the consensus price objective of $8.67. The shares have traded in a range of $5.56 to $9.15 over the past 52 weeks and closed trading on Tuesday at $7.79.

Crocs Inc. (NASDAQ: CROX) was downgraded to Hold from Buy at Stifel, which lowered the price target to $16 from $17. That compares with a consensus price objective of $14.33. The 52-week trading range for the trendy shoe company is $6.14 to $17.43. The stock closed trading on Tuesday at $16.20, up a solid 7% on the day.

Papa John’s International Inc. (NASDAQ: PZZA) was downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Longbow. The 52-week trading range for the shares is $54 to $85.20. The consensus price target is posted at $62.33, and the stock closed Tuesday at $58.73.

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc. (NASDAQ: RRGB) was raised to Buy from Hold at Stifel, which also raise its price target to $75 from $65. That compares with the consensus target of $66. The stock has traded in a 52-week range of $45.70 to $74.11, and it closed trading on Tuesday at $61.15.

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Trimble Inc. (NASDAQ: TRMB) was downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Doughty. The 52-week trading range is $32.01 to $45.70. The consensus price target is $44.18, and the stock closed trading on Tuesday at $35.03.

Twilio Inc. (NYSE: TWLO) saw its price target raised at Monness Crespi & Hardt to $66 from $60, citing the firm’s excellent quarter, where it also raised earnings estimates. The consensus price target is $43.33. The stock has traded in a 52-week range of $22.90 to $44.74. The shares ended on Tuesday at $44.45.

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

Autohome Inc. (NASDAQ: ATHM) is raised to Buy from No Rating at Merrill Lynch. The 52-week trading range is a wide $35.76 to $100.66. The consensus price target is posted at $77.48, but shares closed way above that level on Tuesday at $98.74.

Evoqua Water Technologies Corp. (NASDAQ: AQUA) is raised to Buy from Hold at Stifel, which set its target price at $24. That compares with the consensus target of $26.88. The 52-week trading range is $18.05 to $25.35. The shares closed Tuesday at $18.51.

Expeditors International of Washington Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPD) saw its price target raised to $70 from $65 at Cowen, citing better than expected first-quarter results. The consensus price target is $65.08, and the 52-week range is $51.96 to $70.33. The shares closed Tuesday at $69.58, up almost 9%, on the very strong print.

Lexington Realty Trust (NYSE: LXP) was downgraded to Sell from Hold at Stifel, which dropped its price target on the stock to $7.50 from $8.00. That rivals the consensus target set at $8.59. The 52-week trading range for the shares is 7.59 to $10.65. They closed Tuesday at $8.43.

Middlesex Water Co. (NASDAQ: MSEX) was downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Janney. The 52-week trading range is $32.23 to $46.74. The consensus price target is $40, and the stock closed Tuesday at $41.36, a possible valuation call.

Nutrien Ltd. (NYSE: NTR) was raised to Outperform from Market Perform at Raymond James. The 52-week trading range is $40.41 to $56.18, and the consensus price target is $58.28. The shares closed trading on Tuesday at $47.65, up over 3% on the day.

ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SERV) was started with a Buy rating and a $64 price target at Buckingham Research. That compares with the consensus target of $57.86. The 52-week trading range is $36.34 to $55.63. The stock closed trading Tuesday at $54.78.

TransEnterix Inc. (NYSE: TRXC) is raised to Buy from Neutral at BTIG Research. The 52-week trading range of the shares is $0.45 to $5.00. The consensus price target is set at $4.17, and the shares closed Tuesday at $1.83.

In case you missed it, Tuesday’s top analyst upgrades and downgrades included AGCO, American Water Works, Carbonite, Cheniere Energy, Comcast, Northrop Grumman, Saleforce.com and more.

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