Today's noteworthy downgrades include: Aimco (AIV) downgraded to Sell from Hold at Miller Tabak... Alcoa (AA) downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Nomura... Autodesk (ADSK) downgraded to Neutral from Buy at UBS... Banc of California (BANC) downgraded to Market Perform from Outperform at Raymond James... Blackstone (BX) downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Citi... Bonanza Creek (BCEI) downgraded to Market Perform due to valuation at Raymond James... CTI BioPharma (CTIC) downgraded to Hold from Buy at WallachBeth... Century Aluminum (CENX) downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Nomura... Del Frisco's (DFRG) downgraded to Neutral from Overweight at Piper Jaffray... Duke Realty (DRE) downgraded to Sell from Hold at Miller Tabak... Dyax (DYAX) downgraded to Market Perform from Outperform at Leerink... EOG Resources (EOG) downgraded to Market Perform due to valuation at Raymond James... Equity Residential (EQR) downgraded to Sell from Hold at Miller Tabak... Evolution Petroleum (EPM) downgraded to Market Perform from Outperform at Northland... Foresight Energy (FELP) downgraded to Neutral from Overweight at JPMorgan... Fresenius Medical (FMS) downgraded to Underweight from Equal Weight at Barclays... Heritage Oaks (HEOP) downgraded to Market Perform from Outperform at Raymond James... Inphi (IPHI) downgraded to Market Perform from Outperform at Northland... Insmed (INSM) downgraded to Neutral from Buy at UBS... KeyCorp (KEY) downgraded to Hold from Buy at Deutsche Bank... L Brands (LB) downgraded to Neutral from Overweight at JPMorgan... MRC Global (MRC) downgraded to Sector Weight from Overweight at KeyBanc... News Corp. (NWSA) downgraded to Market Perform from Outperform at Wells Fargo... OvaScience (OVAS) downgraded to Market Perform from Outperform at Leerink... Qualcomm (QCOM) downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Nomura... RONA (RONAF) downgraded to Underweight from Equal Weight at Barclays... Regions Financial (RF) downgraded to Hold from Buy at Deutsche Bank... Sanofi (SNY) downgraded on 'challenging outlook' at Bernstein... Stamps.com (STMP) downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Sidoti... Stratasys (SSYS) downgraded to Hold from Buy at Deutsche Bank... Tata Motors (TTM) downgraded to Sell from Hold at Deutsche Bank... Teradata (TDC) downgraded to Sell from Hold at Summit Research... U.S. Steel (X) downgraded to Equal Weight at Morgan Stanley... UDR, Inc. (UDR) downgraded to Sell from Hold at Miller Tabak... Yum! Brands (YUM) downgraded to Negative from Mixed at OTR Global... ZS Pharma (ZSPH) downgraded to Equal Weight from Overweight at Morgan Stanley.

Says will continue to buy back stock "hand over fist." Says Cleveland-Cliffs (CLF) "the only U.S. solution" for U.S. Steel (X). Says will have to "re-assess value" of U.S. Steel. Says targeting net debt to EBITDA of 2.5x. Says balance sheet in "great shape, near record liquidity." Sees CapEx ~$1B/year from 2025-2028. Comments taken from Q1 earnings conference call.

Citi lowered the firm's price target on Yum! Brands to $162 from $166 and keeps a Buy rating on the shares ahead of the Q1 report. The analyst expects Yum continues to voice confidence in 5% unit growth, and its digital initiatives are growing sales for franchisees. The firm views the company's near-term outlook as "shakier" than the long-term.

Get caught up quickly on the top news and calls moving stocks with these five Top Five lists. 1... To see the rest of the story go to thefly.com. See Story Here

Check out this morning's top movers from around Wall Street, compiled by The Fly.  HIGHER - Vista... To see the rest of the story go to thefly.com. See Story Here

Truist lowered the firm's price target on Regions Financial to $20 from $22 and keeps a Hold rating on the shares as part of a broader research note recapping Q1 earnings among Community and Regional Banks. The firm's updated model for Fed funds rate forecast calls for zero cuts in 2024 and four 25bps cuts in 2025 from three in 2023 and 2024 previously, the analyst tells investors in a research note. Truist is also revising its FY24 and FY25 EPS on the bank to $1.93 and $2.12 from $1.97 and $2.15, with estimate revisions primarily driven by higher loan loss provisioning. Regions' net charge-offs were also "at the high-end" of management's guidance of 40bps to 50bps in Q1, the firm adds.

The company said, "The Board of Hipgnosis (HPGSF) notes the announcement by Blackstone Europe (BX), acting as sub- advisor to the Blackstone Funds and confirms that it yesterday received an improved proposal to acquire the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Hipgnosis on the terms set out in the Blackstone announcement. The Board, having reviewed the Proposal with its financial adviser, Singer Capital Markets, has indicated to Blackstone that the Proposal is at a value that it would be minded to recommend to its shareholders should Blackstone announce a firm intention to make an offer pursuant to Rule 2.7 of the Code on such financial terms." The statement comes following a Saturday announcement by Hipgnosis, which said, "Blackstone Europe LLP, acting as sub-advisor to the Blackstone Funds notes the recent speculation regarding Hipgnosis. Blackstone confirms that it has made a series of proposals regarding a possible offer for the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Hipgnosis. Blackstone furthermore notes Concord Chorus Limited's firm offer on 18 April 2024 to acquire the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Hipgnosis. Blackstone has made an improved fourth proposal to acquire the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Hipgnosis at a price of $1.24 per share in cash. Should Blackstone announce a firm intention to make an offer for Hipgnosis pursuant to Rule 2.7 of the Code under the terms of the Fourth Proposal, it is intended that such a Firm Offer would be effected by means of a takeover offer as defined in Chapter 3 of Part 28 of the Companies Act 2006. However, Blackstone would reserve the right, pursuant to its rights under the Code to implement any such Firm Offer by way of a scheme of arrangement under Part 26 of the Companies Act 2006 should a Firm Offer be announced." Reference Link

BMO Capital analyst John Kim upgraded Equity Residential to Outperform from Market Perform with a price target of $70, up from $68. The analyst believes Equity Residential trades at a discounted valuation despite moderate supply risks and a "surprisingly resilient" employment market. The firm believes the company introduced conservative 2024 guidance, which it is is likely to surpass during the year, particularly with U.S. employment resilient.

Morgan Stanley upgraded Alcoa to Equal Weight from Underweight with a price target of $36.50, up from $28.50. The analyst now sees a more balanced risk/reward for Alcoa shares given the company's continued progress on cost saving measures, reduced uncertainty on the path to resolving bauxite mining issues in Western Australia, and potentially more Inflation Reduction Act benefits to come. The operational concerns that persisted throughout 2023 have largely been de-risked, the analyst tells investors in a research note.