Friday Upgrades and Downgrades

 BullPower
 
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BullPower charges through the market, spotlighting analyst upgrades and downgrades that signal key opportunities. With sharp insights and a bullish edge, BullBoost guides investors to smarter, profit-driven decisions.
 

•  20 Dec 2024
 

ABM Industries $AB received an upgrade to a Buy, signaling growing optimism about the company’s earnings outlook. Such a rank upgrade often indicates a favorable shift in financial performance, which could attract more buying interest and elevate the stock’s value in the near term. This may be an opportune moment for investors to consider adding ABM to their portfolios, particularly if they are seeking stable companies with improving fundamentals.

Archer Aviation $ACHR are soaring during Friday’s session, with a staggering 84% gain over the past month. The stock’s popularity on social media platforms, coupled with the buzz around an exclusive partnership, is driving strong momentum. Traders might capitalize on the stock’s upward trajectory, though the elevated risk associated with its rapid rise should not be overlooked. Assessing the company’s fundamentals is essential before committing to this high-growth opportunity.

Affirm Holdings $AFRM has been upgraded to Market Outperform by JMP, citing its status as a “long-term secular winner.” This is a strong endorsement of Affirm’s business model and its ability to capitalize on emerging trends in the buy-now-pay-later sector. For investors with a long-term horizon, Affirm could offer significant growth potential, especially as consumer finance innovation continues to evolve.

BlackBerry $BB rose after being upgraded by TD Cowen following its Q3 results. The company’s performance has sparked renewed interest, reflecting an improved outlook. With BlackBerry navigating a strategic transformation into a software and cybersecurity leader, investors may find this upgrade a promising signal of its future prospects.

Oracle $ORCL faced a downgrade to “Sell” by Monness after disappointing results that failed to meet expectations set during its AI-fueled rally. Analysts cited underwhelming performance and overblown AI hype as reasons for concern. For investors, this downgrade serves as a reminder to maintain caution, especially for stocks riding high on thematic trends without the underlying financial performance to back them up.

Powell Industries $POWL achieved a Strong Buy rating upgrade, reflecting significant optimism about its earnings trajectory. Such a designation is rare and often precedes strong performance in the stock market. This could be an excellent opportunity for long-term investors to explore the potential upside, especially in industrial sectors.

Relay Therapeutics $RLAY move to a Buy highlights growing confidence in the company’s earnings growth. As the biotech sector often reacts strongly to positive sentiment and innovation, this upgrade could propel RLAY higher. However, investors should stay vigilant about the inherent volatility in biotechnology investments.

RxSight $RXST was downgraded to Hold by Stifel due to competition concerns. This downgrade underscores the challenges RxSight may face in maintaining market share, making it less attractive for risk-averse investors at this time.

Willis Towers Watson $WTW received a boost to Buy by Jefferies, reflecting optimism about the firm’s efficiency improvements in risk brokering following the sale of certain units. This upgrade suggests potential for margin expansion and earnings growth, making it a compelling candidate for investors seeking value in the insurance brokerage space.