Today's noteworthy downgrades include: A. Schulman (SHLM) downgraded to Accumulate from Buy at Seaport Global... American Electric (AEP) downgraded to Neutral from Outperform at Credit Suisse... Applied Materials (AMAT) downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Citi... ArcelorMittal (MT) downgraded to Neutral from Outperform at Credit Suisse... BE Aerospace (BEAV) downgraded to Sector Perform from Outperform at RBC Capital... Banner Corp. (BANR) downgraded to Market Perform from Outperform at Keefe Bruyette... CEMEX (CX) downgraded to Equal Weight from Overweight at Barclays... Cabela's (CAB) downgraded to Market Perform from Outperform at Barrington... Cameron (CAM) downgraded to Market Perform from Outperform at Raymond James... Community Financial (TCFC) downgraded to Market Perform at Keefe Bruyette... Cypress Semiconductor (CY) downgraded to Buy from Strong Buy at Needham... Diana Shipping (DSX) downgraded to Hold from Buy at Jefferies... Dunkin' Brands (DNKN) downgraded to Neutral from Overweight at Piper Jaffray... Emerge Energy (EMES) downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Seaport Global... Enanta (ENTA) downgraded to Underweight from Equal Weight at Barclays... FireEye (FEYE) downgraded to Neutral from Outperform at Wedbush... Freescale (FSL) downgraded ahead of deal closing at Bernstein... GNC Holdings (GNC) downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Sterne Agee CRT... Heritage Financial (HFWA) downgraded to Market Perform at Keefe Bruyette... Huron (HURN) downgraded to Underperform from Outperform at Avondale... Independent Bank (IBTX) downgraded to Hold from Buy at Sandler O'Neill... KLX Inc. (KLXI) downgraded at RBC Capital... LaSalle Hotel (LHO) downgraded to Neutral from Outperform at Credit Suisse... LifePoint (LPNT) downgraded to Buy from Conviction Buy at Goldman... Mead Johnson (MJN) downgraded to Neutral from Outperform at Credit Suisse... Mindray Medical (MR) downgraded to Hold from Buy at Deutsche Bank... NASDAQ (NDAQ) downgraded to Market Perform from Outperform at Wells Fargo... Ocular Therapeutix (OCUL) downgraded to Equal Weight from Overweight at Morgan Stanley... Pandora (P) downgraded to Neutral from Buy at BofA/Merrill... Pebblebrook Hotel (PEB) downgraded to Neutral from Outperform at Credit Suisse... Plexus (PLXS) downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Goldman... Quidel (QDEL) downgraded to Hold from Buy at Craig-Hallum... Quotient Technology (QUOT) downgraded to Hold from Buy at Craig-Hallum... Raytheon (RTN) downgraded to Peer Perform from Outperform at Wolfe Research... Safe Bulkers (SB) downgraded to Hold from Buy at Jefferies... Sanmina (SANM) downgraded to Sell from Neutral at Citi... Skechers (SKX) downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Buckingham... Stericycle (SRCL) downgraded to Neutral from Outperform at Baird... Teck Resources (TCK) downgraded to Sell from Hold at Deutsche Bank... Trinity Biotech (TRIB) downgraded to Hold from Buy at Craig-Hallum... USG (USG) downgraded to Hold from Buy at Jefferies... Ultra Clean (UCTT) downgraded to Hold from Buy at Craig-Hallum... Under Armour (UA) downgraded to Hold from Buy at BB&T... Union Pacific (UNP) downgraded to Underperform at Avondale... Vishay (VSH) downgraded to Sell from Neutral at Citi... WABCO (WBC) downgraded to Buy from Conviction Buy at Goldman.

Reports Q1 revenue $6.03B, consensus $5.98B. "Our team delivered strong financial results in the first quarter as we navigated a challenging freight market and normal winter conditions," said Jim Vena, Union Pacific CEO. "These results build on the momentum we established as we exited 2023 and provide further proof of what's possible as we strive to be the best in safety, service, and operational excellence. This is a great start to the year, but we understand there's work to be done to achieve our goals and meet our stakeholders' expectations."

The Board of Directors of Nasdaq has declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.24 per share on the company's outstanding common stock, a 9% increase from the previous quarter. The dividend is payable on June 28, 2024 to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 14, 2024. Future declarations of quarterly dividends and the establishment of future record and payment dates are subject to approval by the Board of Directors.

Reports Q1 revenues $1.12B, consensus $1.11B. Adena Friedman, Chair and CEO said, "Nasdaq delivered another quarter of solid results, with double digit revenue growth in our Solutions businesses including strong Financial Technology results and exceptional Index performance. We continue to make progress on our Integrate, Innovate, and Accelerate strategic priorities with ongoing momentum across our integration work streams and the One Nasdaq go-to-market strategy. As we look toward the remainder of the year, we are well positioned to deliver on our next phase of scalable, profitable, and durable growth."

Completed previously disclosed workforce reduction in the first quarter of 2024 and are on track to realize an estimated $40-$45 million of in-year cost savings.

Piper Sandler downgraded Independent Bank to Underweight from Neutral with a price target of $38, down from $48. The bank's deposit costs were up another 19 basis points in Q1 and the expected net interest margin inflection was pushed out another quarter, the analyst tells investors in a research note. The firm believes Independent Bank "looks poised to underperform peers" from an overall profitability perspective. It thinks the shares will lag over the next 12 months until investors get some certainty into a Q4 of 2025 run-rate and the 2026 earnings potential of the franchise.

The company stated: "Business demand-both group and transient-continued to recover, driving increased occupancy in Washington D.C., San Diego, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Boston. Leisure demand remained roughly in line with the prior year, despite bad weather impacting many weekends in Florida and on the West Coast; the Company's resorts continue to maintain significant ADR premiums to 2019. Recently redeveloped hotels-including Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter, Margaritaville Hotel San Diego Gaslamp Quarter, Viceroy Santa Monica Hotel, L'Auberge Del Mar, 1 Hotel San Francisco, and Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa-are demonstrating the benefits of their substantial investments with healthy gains in RevPAR, market share, cash flow, and future bookings."