Upgrades and Downgrades After the Bell

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•  30 Apr 2025
 

$BTI ended the session up 1.61% at $43.55 after being reinstated with a Buy rating, signaling renewed confidence in British American Tobacco’s defensive dividend appeal. As a high-yield play amid market uncertainty, it’s drawing attention from income-focused investors looking for resilience and reliable returns, especially in the context of shifting global tobacco dynamics.

$CAT edged higher to $309.27, posting a 0.61% gain as Goldman Sachs doubled down on its bullish stance even after Caterpillar reported a 9.8% earnings decline. The reaffirmed Buy rating suggests Goldman sees through the temporary noise, highlighting Caterpillar’s long-term positioning in infrastructure and heavy machinery demand cycles.

$CDNS slipped 1.48% to $297.74 despite an upgrade to its Relative Strength Rating. Cadence Design Systems continues to be a stealth winner in the chip ecosystem, with the technicals pointing to accumulating strength and potential upside as AI and semiconductor tailwinds remain robust.

$CME rose to $277.08 but was quietly downgraded after crossing analysts’ average 12-month target. When a stock like CME hits its consensus target, some strategists interpret that as a signal to reset expectations—especially in a rate-sensitive name with exposure to interest-rate volatility.

$EAT saw its shares hammered post-earnings, but Goldman Sachs isn't backing off. Reiterating its Buy rating on Brinker International, the firm predicts a 40% upside from here, despite the stock falling nearly 2% to $134.30 today. This is a classic “buy the dip” scenario being pitched to investors who can stomach short-term volatility for mid-term gains.

$FSLR dropped sharply by 8.32% to $125.82 as analysts moved to downgrade First Solar on tariff-related headwinds. The CEO's own cautionary tone about the economic impact of tariffs spooked the Street, undermining the bullish thesis built around clean energy growth. This is a name now firmly in "show-me" territory.

$GRND climbed 1.38% to $21.97 but caught a downgrade after crossing above its average analyst target. Grindr’s rapid rise now faces valuation concerns. A rebalancing may be in order unless fundamentals can catch up to price momentum.

$MATX inched up 0.11% to $109.09 as analysts reiterated their Buy rating. While not a major mover today, the reaffirmed optimism suggests confidence in its transport logistics performance, possibly tied to better shipping demand signals and port activity recovery.

$NFLX posted a modest gain to $1131.72 but was downgraded after exceeding its price target. For a stock that's been a market darling post-earnings and AI integration buzz, this downgrade hints at stretched valuation in the near term. That said, long-term believers might still see any pullbacks as opportunity.

$NKE dropped 1.98% to $56.40 as Wells Fargo issued a downgrade citing recessionary risks and tariff exposure. Nike, once considered a consumer staple with brand insulation, is facing real macro pressures. The downgrade suggests a tough runway ahead for retail-heavy names.

$NVDA remained flat at $108.92 but had a turbulent day in the headlines—receiving both its only Sell rating from Seaport Research and a separate Upgrade from another analyst. This tug-of-war underlines how polarized the sentiment has become around Nvidia. With shares already massively extended from AI-fueled runs, expect volatility to remain front and center.

$NVS nudged up 0.07% to $113.49 after raising 2025 guidance to the top end of its range, prompting a confirmed Buy. Novartis’ stable pharma profile and upward momentum in guidance are appealing to conservative growth investors seeking steady compounders.

$QRVO surged 14.40% to $71.67 following an upgrade from Benchmark after a strong Q4 outlook. This explosive move is fueled by confidence in its end-market recovery and possibly a broader comeback in semiconductor demand. Today’s action could mark a turning point in sentiment for the chipmaker.

$ROKU slid 1.59% to $68.18 but maintained its Buy rating as analysts continue to back Roku’s positioning in the streaming evolution. Despite the red close, analysts view Roku’s monetization strategy and platform expansion as underappreciated by the broader market.

$SHW gained 1.38% to $352.92 after Wells Fargo upgraded the paint giant to Overweight, citing limited headwinds from tariffs. With a $420 price target, the move implies 21% upside and positions Sherwin-Williams as a stealth outperformer in an inflation-resilient industry.

$SONY advanced 0.97% to $26.00 after being added to the Zacks Strong Buy list. Sony’s diversified exposure across entertainment, gaming, and hardware is again being recognized as a compelling bet amid shifting global consumer trends.

$TD climbed 0.79% to $63.78 but faced a downgrade after surpassing its average target. This might be a signal that much of the near-term optimism is already priced in for Toronto Dominion Bank, especially as banking sentiment remains mixed in the macro backdrop.

$TRI rose 0.91% to $185.98 and also saw a downgrade after surpassing its target. With shares now trading above what analysts previously thought was a ceiling, fresh catalysts will be needed to push this one higher.

$WDC soared nearly 8% to $43.86 following an upgrade from Summit post-earnings. Western Digital is gaining favor as data storage trends turn optimistic, and its valuation looks compelling after recent underperformance. This could be the start of a multi-week catch-up rally.