Argus

Argus Capital Markets analyst John Staszak on Friday downgraded Southwest Airlines Co (NYSE: LUV) from Buy to Hold. The Thesis The analyst believes Southwest is well-managed and financially strong, but that shares are fairly valued at its current price. The low-cost airline is focused on the...

Strong fee income, a better efficiency ratio than peers and credit quality are behind Argus' bullish Fifth Third Bancorp (NASDAQ: FITB) thesis.  The Analyst Argus analyst Stephen Biggar initiated coverage of Fifth Third with a Buy rating and $36 price target.  The Thesis The bank...

Emergent Biosolutions Inc (NYSE: EBS), a maker of vaccines and products for infectious diseases as well as chemical, biological or nuclear attacks, picked up a sell-side bull Wednesday.  The Analyst Argus analyst Mike Jaffe initiated coverage of Emergent BioSolutions with a Buy and $62...

The WTI grade of crude oil has gained about 8.5 percent year-to-date and is at $65-plus per barrel. Oil breached the $70-a-barrel level in May, although it has pulled back since then.  An Argus analyst said rising oil prices will work in favor of oil and gas exploration and production company...

The lofty price paid by International Flavors & Fragrances Inc (NYSE: IFF) in a recent acquisition prompted an Argus analyst to move to the sidelines.  The Analyst Analyst John Staszak downgraded shares of International Flavors & Fragrances from Buy to Hold. The Thesis The...

Composite and building materials manufacturer Owens Corning (NYSE: OC) could miss on full-year expectations, according to Argus.  The Analyst Analysts John Eade and Olivia Hoyda downgraded shares of Owens Corning from Buy to Hold. The Thesis Conditions in the cyclical housing and...

Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE: CL) reported an earnings beat for the first time in four quarters in late April, and investors should consider buying the stock, according to Argus. The Analyst Argus' John Eade upgraded Colgate-Palmolive's stock from Hold to Buy with a new $72 price...

Old Dominion Freight Line (NASDAQ: ODFL) notched a bullish initiation from Argus Wednesday, with an analyst naming three key reasons for the positive stance.  The Analyst  Argus analyst John Staszak initiated coverage of Old Dominion with a Buy rating and $175 price...

Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ: CELG) is down about 35 percent year-over-year, and as management resists challenges to critical Revlimid patents, analysts are at odds about where the stock could head from here. The Ratings Bernstein analyst Aaron Gal upgraded Celgene from Market-Perform to...

San Diego-based utility holding company Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE)'s acquisition of a majority stake in Texas' largest utility Oncor negatively impacted its first-quarter earnings, but Argus is bullish on the longer-term outlook. The Analyst Argus' Jacob Kilstein upgraded Sempra Energy...

Despite the generally cautious outlook on retailers, one Argus analyst is upbeat about apparel and footwear retailer VF Corp (NYSE: VFC). The Analyst Analyst Mike Jaffe initiated coverage of VF Corp.  shares with a Buy rating and $101 price target, suggesting roughly 26-percent upside....

Casual fast-food restaurant chain Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG), under the leadership of a new executive team led by CEO Brian Niccol, remains on track for a multi-year long recovery, according to Argus. The Analyst Argus' John Staszak upgraded Chipotle from Hold to Buy with a...

Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: CHKP) lowered its 2018 guidance due to issues with its sales execution, and one Wall Street firm isn’t feeling so bullish on the cybersecurity stock anymore. The Analyst Argus analyst Joseph Bonner downgraded Check Point from Buy to Hold and...

Viavi Solutions Inc (NASDAQ: VIAV), a spin-off company carved out of JDSU in August 2015, has managed to win a bull in Argus. The Analyst Analyst Jim Kelleher upgraded shares of Viavi from Hold to Buy and set a $15 price target. The Thesis Viavi is showing signs of "sustainable...

Hershey Co (NYSE: HSY) remains a "financially strong company" with a focus on returning capital to shareholders, but that's no longer reason enough to be a buyer of the stock, according to Argus. The Analysts Argus analysts John Eade and Erik Kildal-Brandt downgraded Hershey ...