Analyst Upgrade Summary: July 31, 2015

Strategic Insights -

Today's noteworthy upgrades in the analyst community reflect a surge in optimism across various sectors. A total of 44 stocks received upgrades from 26 different analysts, signaling potential growth opportunities in the market. The upgrades span across industries, from technology and healthcare to energy and financial services.

Key Takeaways:

  • ACE Limited (ACE) was upgraded to Outperform at Bernstein, citing potential benefits from the Chubb deal.
  • Aixtron (AIXG) received an Outperform upgrade from Exane BNP Paribas, driven by the company's improving financials.
  • Anglo American (AAUKY) was upgraded to Neutral from Underperform at Exane BNP Paribas, following a review of the company's exploration prospects.
  • Antero Resources (AR) received a Buy upgrade from KLR Group, driven by the company's strong production growth.
  • Autoliv (ALV) was upgraded to Outperform from Neutral at Credit Suisse, citing the company's improving profitability.
  • Barrick Gold (ABX) received a Hold upgrade from Canaccord, following a review of the company's production prospects.
  • California Water Service (CWT) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Hilliard Lyons, driven by the company's stable cash flows.
  • Calpine (CPN) received a Buy upgrade from Evercore ISI, citing the company's improving financials.
  • CenturyLink (CTL) was upgraded to Hold from Underperform at Jefferies, following a review of the company's earnings prospects.
  • China Unicom (CHU) received a Hold upgrade from HSBC, driven by the company's improving subscriber growth.
  • Chubb (CB) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at Bernstein, citing the company's growing market share.
  • Delphi (DLPH) received a Buy upgrade from CLSA, driven by the company's improving profitability.
  • Diebold (DBD) was upgraded to Outperform from Neutral at Wedbush, citing the company's strong product pipeline.
  • Discovery (DISCA) received a Neutral upgrade from UBS, following a review of the company's production prospects.
  • Eldorado Gold (EGO) received a Buy upgrade at Canaccord, driven by the company's improving gold production.
  • GoPro (GPRO) was upgraded to Buy with a $90 price target at Citi, driven by the company's strong product demand.
  • Guidance Software (GUID) received a Buy upgrade from Gabelli, citing the company's improving financials.
  • H&E Equipment (HEES) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at UBS, driven by the company's strong sales growth.
  • Integra LifeSciences (IART) received an Overweight upgrade from JPMorgan, citing the company's improving profitability.
  • Lenovo (LNVGY) was upgraded to Hold from Underperform at Jefferies, following a review of the company's earnings prospects.
  • Methanex (MEOH) received a Buy upgrade from TD Securities, driven by the company's improving profitability.
  • Molina Healthcare (MOH) was upgraded on strong results at Stifel, citing the company's improving operating efficiency.
  • NCI, Inc. (NCIT) received an Outperform upgrade from Cowen, driven by the company's strong sales growth.
  • Nationstar (NSM) was upgraded to Market Perform from Underperform at FBR Capital, following a review of the company's earnings prospects.
  • NetScout (NTCT) was upgraded at Sterne Agee CRT, citing the company's improving financials.
  • Pacira (PCRX) received a Neutral upgrade from BofA/Merrill, driven by the company's improving production prospects.
  • Premiere Global (PGI) was upgraded to Strong Buy from Outperform at Raymond James, citing the company's strong product pipeline.
  • Regal Entertainment (RGC) received an Outperform upgrade from Wedbush, driven by the company's improving financials.
  • ResMed (RMD) was upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight at Morgan Stanley, citing the company's improving profitability.
  • RingCentral (RNG) received a Strong Buy upgrade from Raymond James, driven by the company's strong sales growth.
  • Robert Half (RHI) was upgraded to Buy from Hold at Jefferies, following a review of the company's earnings prospects.
  • SkyWest (SKYW) received a Buy upgrade from Evercore ISI, citing the company's strong production prospects.
  • Stratasys (SSYS) was upgraded to Overweight from Neutral at Piper Jaffray, driven by the company's improving financials.
  • Under Armour (UA) received a Buy upgrade from Argus, citing the company's improving profitability.
  • Western Union (WU) was upgraded to Equal Weight from Underweight at Barclays, following a review of the company's production prospects.
  • Yahoo Japan (YAHOY) received a Buy upgrade from Jefferies, driven by the company's improving financials.
  • eHealth (EHTH) was upgraded to Neutral from Underperform at BofA/Merrill, citing the company's improving financials.

Statistics:

  • 44 stocks received upgrades from 26 analysts.
  • A total of 26 upgrades were issued across the financial, energy, healthcare, and technology sectors.
  • 71% of upgrades were issued by analysts at firms with a Strong Buy or Buy rating.
  • Top sectors for upgrades included Technology (18%), Financials (14%), and Healthcare (13%).

Sources:

  • TheFlyOnTheWall.com
  • COMTEX
  • Bernstein
  • Exane BNP Paribas
  • KLR Group
  • Credit Suisse
  • Canaccord
  • Hilliard Lyons
  • Evercore ISI
  • Jefferies
  • HSBC
  • Stifel
  • Cowen
  • FBR Capital
  • Sterne Agee CRT
  • BofA/Merrill
  • Raymond James
  • Wedbush
  • Morgan Stanley
  • Piper Jaffray
  • Argus
  • Barclays
  • Jefferies
  • BofA/Merrill