Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: Aeropostale, AK Steel, Cyberonics, Gap, 58.com and More

Investing

Published: August 22, 2014 8:45 am

Last Updated: August 22, 2014 8:46 am

Stocks were mixed to soft in early Friday indications. There were no formal economic reports on deck, and the corporate earnings coming out have not been from market-moving companies. Investors have seen volatility, followed by fresh new all-time highs again on the S&P 500. With a Janet Yellen speech slated for Friday, many investors are looking for value or other ideas in stocks. 24/7 Wall St. reviews dozens of research reports each morning for new investment and trading ideas. Some of these analyst reports cover stocks to buy, while others cover stocks to sell or to avoid.

These are this Friday’s top analyst upgrades and downgrades from 24/7 Wall St.

Aeropostale Inc. (NYSE: ARO) was indicated down 8% at $3.60 after lowering guidance yet again. Bank of America Merrill Lynch maintained its Underperform rating and $3.50 price target.

AK Steel Holdings Corp. (NYSE: AKS) was raised to Neutral from Sell at UBS.

Ampio Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NYSEMKT: AMPE) lost almost one-fourth of its value on Thursday on disappointing drug study results. Jefferies downgraded the stock to Hold from Buy, and it slashed the price target to $5 from $14.

Cyberonics Inc. (NASDAQ: CYBX) was downgraded to Hold from Buy and the price target was cut to $52 from $63 at Canaccord Genuity.

Edison International (NYSE: EIX) was raised to Outperform from Market Perform at BMO Capital Markets.

Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS) was reiterated as Buy and the price target was raised to $50 from $48 at Sterne Agee. Canaccord Genuity was favorable and said that the long-term margin expansion potential remains intact after the earnings report. Janney Capital Markets raised the rating to Buy from Neutral. Merrill Lynch reiterated its Neutral rating but raised its target to $45 from $43.

Lowe’s Companies Inc. (NYSE: LOW) was reiterated as Buy and the price target was raised to $60 from $58 at Argus.

PG&E Corp. (NYSE: PCG) was downgraded to Hold from Buy at Argus, based on a revised San Bruno indictment. Merrill Lynch reiterated its Buy rating and $51 price target.

Ross Stores Inc. (NASDAQ: ROST) was maintained as Neutral but the price target was raised to $70 from $68 at Sterne Agee. Canaccord Genuity said it has regained some momentum and it raised its target to $68 from $66. Merrill Lynch reiterated its Buy rating and $80 price target.

58.com Inc. (NYSE: WUBA) was downgraded to Underweight from Equal Weight with a $37.50 price target at Morgan Stanley.

In case you missed out on Thursday’s top analyst upgrades and downgrades, they included shares of HP, InterMune, MeetMe, Lowe’s, P&G, Staples, Target, Tesla and others. Note that the normal volume of analyst upgrades and downgrades should resume the week of Labor Day, after everyone has returned (including analysts, brokers, and investors) from vacation.

Credit Card Companies Are Doing Something Nuts

Credit card companies are at war. The biggest issuers are handing out free rewards and benefits to win the best customers.

It’s possible to find cards paying unlimited 1.5%, 2%, and even more today. That’s free money for qualified borrowers, and the type of thing that would be crazy to pass up. Those rewards can add up to thousands of dollars every year in free money, and include other benefits as well.

We’ve assembled some of the best credit cards for users today. Don’t miss these offers because they won’t be this good forever.

Flywheel Publishing has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Flywheel Publishing and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.