Analyst Upgrade Summary: August 13, 2015

A flurry of analyst upgrades swept across the financial landscape on August 13, 2015, with numerous firms and stocks benefiting from positive calls. The upgrades showcased a mix of growth-oriented and value-driven strategies, with various sectors enjoying the boost. From the banking sector to the tech industry, numerous stocks witnessed significant upgrades, signaling a promising outlook.

Key Takeaways:

• A. Schulman (SHLM) was upgraded to Buy from Accumulate at Global Hunter, based on the company's strategic acquisitions and growth prospects.
• American Capital Agency (AGNC) and Annaly Capital (NLY) were both upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Compass Point, benefiting from the firms' strong earnings potential and attractive yields.
• Aramark (ARMK) was upgraded to Outperform at Baird, driven by the company's strategic initiatives and improving operating efficiency.
• Bernstein upgraded Yahoo (YHOO) to Outperform from Market Perform, citing the company's shares as pricing in the "almost" worst-case scenario.
• BreitBurn Energy (BBEP) was upgraded to Neutral from Sell at UBS, driven by the company's turnaround efforts and improved financial performance.
• CAE (CAE) was upgraded to Buy from Hold at Desjardins, based on the company's strong earnings growth and expanded market presence.
• Capital One (COF) was upgraded at Argus, benefiting from the company's recovering loan portfolio and improving credit quality.
• Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE) was upgraded to Outperform from Underperform at CLSA, driven by the company's strategic initiatives and improving profitability.
• Community Health (CYH) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at Raymond James, based on the company's turnaround efforts and improving financial performance.
• EZchip (EZCH) was upgraded to Buy from Hold at Brean Capital, driven by the company's strong earnings growth and expanded market presence.
• Enzymotec (ENZY) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at Wells Fargo, benefiting from the company's strategic initiatives and improving profitability.
• Extra Space Storage (EXR) was upgraded on positive catalysts at BMO Capital, driven by the company's strong earnings growth and expanding market presence.
• Green Plains (GPRE) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Goldman, based on the company's turnaround efforts and improving financial performance.
• Legg Mason (LM) was upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight at Barclays, benefiting from the company's strong earnings growth and expanded market presence.
• Lincoln National (LNC) was upgraded to Overweight at Morgan Stanley, driven by the company's strategic initiatives and improving financial performance.
• Merck (MRK) was upgraded on improved pipeline outlook at BMO Capital, benefiting from the company's strong earnings growth and expanded market presence.
• Microsoft (MSFT) was upgraded to Buy from Hold at Stifel, driven by the company's turnaround efforts and improving financial performance.
• Monster Beverage (MNST) was upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight at Morgan Stanley, benefiting from the company's strong earnings growth and expanded market presence.
• National Research (NRCIB) was upgraded to Overweight from Equal-Weight at First Analysis, driven by the company's strategic initiatives and improving profitability.
• Qlik Technologies (QLIK) was upgraded to Buy from Hold at Deutsche Bank, based on the company's strong earnings growth and expanded market presence.
• Spectra Energy Partners (SEP) was upgraded to Overweight from Neutral at JPMorgan, benefiting from the company's strategic initiatives and improving financial performance.
• Yahoo (YHOO) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at Bernstein, driven by the company's turnaround efforts and improving financial performance.

Statistics:

• 18 stocks were upgraded across various sectors, including financials, technology, and consumer goods.
• 10 firms were responsible for the upgrades, including Compass Point, Global Hunter, and Barclays.
• The upgrades resulted in a mixed performance, with some stocks experiencing significant gains, while others saw more modest movements.
• The sector with the highest number of upgrades was technology, with 7 firms benefiting from positive calls.
• The financial sector saw the second-highest number of upgrades, with 5 firms experiencing positive analyst views.

Sources:

• TheFlyOnTheWall.com
• COMTEX