Before Monday’s opening bell, a number of big name dividend stocks were the subject of analyst moves. Below, we highlight the important analyst commentary for investors.
Argus Upgrades Rockwell Collins
Rockwell Collins (COL) was upgraded from “Hold” to “Buy” at Argus, as COL is trading at a discount compared to its peers, and Argus believes the company’s management can improve margins and repurchase shares. COL has a dividend yield of 1.38%.
Oppenheimer Downgrades Graco Inc.
Graco Inc. (GGG ) was downgraded to “Perform” from “Outperform” at Oppenheimer, based on a valuation call and GGG’s $80 price target. Oppenheimer also sees GGG as having high currency risk. Oppenheimer’s PT on GGG suggests a 3.5% upside to the stock’s current price. GGG has a yield of 1.55%.
RBC Capital Upgrades Garmin
Garmin (GRMN ) was upgraded to “Outperform” from “Sector Perform” at RBC Capital, as GRMN can gain its market share in wearables and can expand its margins. RBC has a $67 price target on Garmin, suggesting a 26% upside to the stock’s current price. GRMN has a yield of 3.4%.
BofA/Merrill Lynch Downgrades LyondellBasell
LyondellBasell (LYB ) was downgraded to “Neutral” from “Buy” at BofA/Merrill Lynch, due to LYB’s lower ethanol margins. BofA/Merrill Lynch has a price target of $98 on LYB, suggesting a 21% upside to the stock’s current price. LYB has a yield of 3.47%.
Oppenheimer Upgrades Pier 1
Pier 1 (PIR ) was upgraded to “Outperform” from “Perform” at Oppenheimer, as the analyst firm believes that Pier 1 can improve its margins. Oppenheimer has a $20 PT on PIR, suggesting an 18% upside to the stock’s current price. PIR has a yield of 1.42%.
Two Firms Downgrade UPS
United Parcel Service (UPS ) was downgraded at Credit Suisse and Barclays. Credit Suisse lowered the company’s rating to “Neutral” from “Outperform,” due to UPS’s recent cut in its guidance. CS now has a price target of $102 on UPS, suggesting the stock will stay flat at its current price.
Barclays cut its rating on UPS to “Equal-weight,” as the analyst firm believes that business success has not found its way to UPS’s bottom line. Barclays now has a price target of $105 on UPS, suggesting a 3% upside. UPS has a yield of 2.6%.
Credit Suisse Boosts Numbers on Bank of New York Mellon
Bank of New York Mellon (BK ) had its estimates and price target raised at Credit Suisse, due to BK’s management’s cost-cutting. CS now has a PT of $39 on BK, suggesting the stock will rise by 6%. BK has a yield of 1.84%.
Jefferies Cuts Numbers on McDonald’s
McDonald’s (MCD ) had its estimates and price target cut at Jefferies, due to the fast food company losing market share. Jefferies has a price target of $91 on MCD, suggesting a 2% upside to the stock’s current price. MCD has a yield of 3.8%.
