The futures were lower Thursday as the stock market broke a two-day losing streak on much better volume. All the major indexes, along with the transportation index, ended higher. Despite raising geopolitical tensions, and some concern about a spike in the COVID-19 cases, investors focused on the ongoing solid earnings reports and the hope for a continued reopening for the economy as we move on toward summer.

The Federal Reserve pledges to keep interest rates contained could be among the reasons for the continued moves higher in the equity markets. It also should be noted that money markets continue to see massive inflows, which is another big plus.

With major Wall Street firms still warning of the potential for impending 5% to 10% correction across the board, it makes sense for investors to continue building some cash reserves into the market strength while repositioning portfolios for the second quarter and the rest of 2021.

24/7 Wall St. reviews dozens of analyst research reports each day of the week with a goal of finding new ideas for investors and traders alike. Some of these daily analyst calls cover stocks to buy. Other calls cover stocks to sell or avoid. Remember that no single analyst call should ever be used as a basis to buy or sell a stock. Consensus analyst target data is from Refinitiv.

These are the top analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations seen on Thursday, April 22, 2021.

Align Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: ALGN): Berenberg upgraded the shares from Hold to Buy with a $683 price target. The Wall Street consensus target is $615.21, near Wednesday’s $616.08 closing print.

Array Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: ARRY): Barclays raised the solar company stock to Overweight from Equal Weight. The shares have traded in a 52-week range of $27.51 to $54.78 and have a consensus price target of $45.45. The last trade for Wednesday came in at $27.62. That was up almost 6% on the day, and the stock added another 3% in the premarket.

AutoNation Inc. (NYSE: AN): Benchmark raised the shares from Hold to Buy with a $120 price target. The consensus target for the car retailer is just $104, and Wednesday’s last trade was reported at $95.49.

Capital Product Partners L.P. (NASDAQ: CPLP): Jefferies upgraded it to Buy from Hold and lifted the price target to $16.00 from $8.50. The consensus target is $11.88, and the final trade for Wednesday was reported at $12.37.

Coinbase Global Inc. (NASDAQ: COIN): Mizuho started coverage with a Neutral rating and a $285 price target. The consensus target for the crypto brokerage platform is much higher at $513.33, and the last Wednesday trade was recorded at $311.92.

DarioHealth Corp. (NASDAQ: DRIO): Cowen started coverage with a Buy rating and a $31 price target. The consensus price objective is $29.04, and the stock ended trading on Wednesday at $17.22.

Energy Transfer L.P. (NYSE: ET): Evercore ISI upgraded the pipeline giant to Buy from Hold and raised its price target to $14 from $10. The consensus target is $11.07, and the stock was last seen on Wednesday at $7.98.

First Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: FSLR): Barclays raised its Underweight rating to Equal Weight. The 52-week trading range is a wide $37.92 to $112.50, and the consensus price target is $84.28. The stock closed Wednesday just below that level at $83.65, after climbing almost 6% on the day.

Fisker Inc. (NYSE: FSR): Goldman Sachs downgraded the electric vehicle maker to Sell from Neutral and lowered the price target to $10 from $15. The consensus target is much higher at $27.13. The final Wednesday trade was reported at $12.15, which was up almost 18% for the day. The downgrade appeared to hit the stock in the premarket, though, as the shares were almost 10% lower.

Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F): Wolfe Research upgraded the venerable automaker to Buy from Hold and raise its price target to $15 from $13. The consensus target is lower at $12.52. The last trade posted on Wednesday was at $11.73.

Interpublic Group of Companies Inc. (NYSE: IPG): Even though BMO Capital Markets downgraded the shares to Market Perform from Outperform, the firm raised the price target to $30 from $28. The consensus target is $28.58, and the stock closed at $30.69 on Wednesday.

Lordstown Motors Corp. (NASDAQ: RIDE): Goldman Sachs downgraded the shares to Neutral from Buy and lowered the price target to $10 from $21. The consensus target is posted at $23.17. The stock closed Wednesday at $9.70, up over 6%.

Okta Inc. (NASDAQ: OKTA): Raymond James initiated coverage with a Buy rating and a $300 price target. The consensus target is lower at $276.35. The last trade for Wednesday came in at $274.54, which was up almost 4% for the day.

PacWest Bancorp (NASDAQ: PACW): Raymond James upgraded the stock to Strong Buy from Outperform and raised the $65 price target to $84. The much lower consensus target is $46.44, and Wednesday’s $39.79 closing print was up over 6% for the day.
Pioneer Natural Resources Co. (NYSE: PXD): This independent oil and gas exploration and production company was selected as Bull of the Day at Zacks. The analyst makes the case that oil companies are still dirt cheap. Shares last closed at $147.10 and have a consensus price target of $192.63.

Planet Fitness Inc. (NASDAQ: PLNT): Piper Sandler downgraded it from Overweight to Neutral with an $87 price target. The consensus target is $84.77. Wednesday’s close was at $86.59 a share. As it is trading just below the 52-week high, this looks like a valuation call.

Qualtrics International Inc. (NYSE: XM): Piper Sandler raised the shares to Overweight from Neutral and has a $49 price target. The consensus price objective is $46.73. The last trade for Wednesday hit the tape at $33.82. Shares were up almost 16% in premarket action, after the company reported record revenue and an earnings beat.

Ready Capital Corp. (NYSE: RC): Keefe Bruyette raised the shares from Market Perform to Outperform with a $15.50 price target. The consensus price objective is $15.79, and the stock was last seen at $14.08 on Wednesday.

Shoals Technologies Group Inc. (NASDAQ: SHLS): The Barclays downgrade to Equal Weight from Overweight included the price target lowered to $35 from $49. The consensus target for the solar parts company is $42.30. The stock closed Wednesday at $33.91, after gaining almost 7% for the day.

Viatris Inc. (NASDAQ: VTRS): This was named as the Zacks Bear of the Day stock. The firm points out that this newly created health care leader disappointed on full-year guidance. Shares last closed at $13.30 and have a consensus price target of $20.07.

Goldman Sachs says that now is the time to buy shares of three top online gambling and sports betting stocks ahead of upcoming earnings reports, as they are great long-term ideas for growth stock investors with a higher risk tolerance.

Furthermore, see what Deutsche Bank found to love in BP and other European oil giants, and which analyst has a contrarian take on Netflix after earnings.

Wednesday’s early top analyst upgrades and downgrades included AutoZone, Coinbase, CSX, Freeport-McMoRan, Intuitive Surgical, Morgan Stanley, Netflix and Oracle. Analyst calls seen later in the day were on BP, Conagra Brands, Mattel, PepsiCo, UnitedHealth and more.

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